Design of turn-on fluorescent probe for effective detection of Hg2+ by combination of AIEE-active fluorophore and binding site

By combination of coumarin and α-cyanostilbene derivative, a new Hg2+ fluorescent probe (1) with AIEE is synthesized. The “turn-on” response is triggered by Hg2+ ion coordination inducing fluorogen aggregation. 1 has been successfully applied to detect Hg2+ in aqueous and living cells.