Four xanthene-fluorene based probes for the detection of Hg2+ ions and their application in strip tests and biological cells

Four new xanthene-based fluorescent probes have been devised and synthesized. These probes were well characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and HRMS. UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that these probes show high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+ in the presence of various cations, anions and amino acids in PBS buffer solution containing DMSO/H2O (1 : 1, v/v). The detection limits of the probes for Hg2+ were found to be 10.4, 12.5, 16.2 and 15.4 nM, respectively. The four probes were successfully applied for the detection of Hg2+ in a strip test. Among them, probe 4 was successfully applied for the detection of Hg2+ in biological cells.

Automated summary

Four new xanthene-based fluorescent probes were synthesized and characterized for their high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+ in PBS buffer solution. The detection limits of the probes for Hg2+ ranged from 10.4 to 16.2 nM, and probe 4 was successfully applied for the detection of Hg2+ in biological cells.