Fluorogenic Hg2+-selective chemodosimeter derived from 8-hydroxyquinoline

A new thioamide derivative of 8-hydroxyquinoline-benzothiazole was prepared, and its fluorogenic chemodosimetric behaviors toward transitionmetal ions were investigated. The thioamide derivative showed highly Hg2+-selective fluorescence enhancing properties (167-fold) in 30% aqueous acetonitrile solution. The selective and sensitive signaling behaviors were found to originate from the Hg2+ ion induced transformation of the very weak fluorescent thioamide derivative into a highly fluorescent amide analogue.