Highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for mercury ions based on a novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye

•New fluorescent probe has been prepared based on novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye.•The probe can respond to Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity.•The probe can be used for imaging of Hg2+ in living cells.

A fluorescent probe RCHg based on a novel rectilinear π-extended rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye has been designed and synthesized for the detection of Hg2+ ions. Via a specific Hg2+-promoted ring-opening and desulfurization cascade reaction, RCHg shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg2+ detection and with a detection limit down to the nanomolar range. At the same time, the probe RCHg is living cell membrane permeable and should be suitable for practical application in vitro.

Graphical abstractA selective and sensitive fluorescent probe RCHg based on a novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye RC has been developed for “turn-on” fluorescence detection and imaging of Hg2+ ions.Download high-res image (491KB)Download full-size image