Phenanthroimidazole-based thiobenzamide as an effective sensor for highly selective detection of mercury(II)

Based on highly selective and irreversible Hg2+-promoted desulfurization reaction, a new and simple phenanthroimidazole-type sensor was prepared and exhibited high selectivity towards Hg2+ ion over other metal ions, accompanied by transformation of a weakly fluorescent thioamide moiety (colorless) to a highly fluorescent amide one (blue), with a 136-fold increase in fluorescent intensity in aqueous solution with a pH span 2.57-9.12. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.