A BOPHY based fluorescent probe for Hg2+via NTe2 chelation

A BOPHY-based organotellurium-containing probe was synthesized and characterized via single crystal XRD for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ over other metal ions. The probe detects Hg2+ in less than 1 s with a 2.5-fold enhancement in fluorescent intensity. Due to the chalcogenophilicity of mercury, Hg2+ was facilely trapped in the NTe2 chelating cavity of the probe. The probe can detect Hg2+ in the nanomolar range (62 nM) and it showed reversibility with S2- ions. The sensitivity of the probe for the detection of Hg2+ was confirmed in living HeLa cells.

Automated summary

In this study, a BOPHY-based organotellurium-containing probe was synthesized and characterized for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ over other metal ions. The probe showed a rapid response time of less than 1 second and a 2.5-fold increase in fluorescent intensity upon detection of Hg2+. It demonstrated nanomolar detection capability (62 nM) and reversibility with S2- ions. The probe's sensitivity for detecting Hg2+ was confirmed in living HeLa cells.