Selective and Sensitive Ratiometric Detection of Hg(II) Ions Using a Simple Amino Acid Based Sensor

Synthesis of a novel pyrene derivative sensor (Py-Met) based on amino acid and its fluorescent behavior for Hg(II) in water was investigated. Upon Hg(II) binding, the Py-Met-bearing sulfonamide group exhibited a considerable excimer emission at 480 nm along with a decrease of monomer emission at 383 nm. Py-Met allows a selective and sensitive ratiometric detection of Hg(II) without any interference from other metal ions.