A fluorescent probe for Hg 2+ specific recognition based on xanthene and its application in food detection and cell imaging

The mercury-loving unit aminothiourea was introduced into the xanthene fluorophore to synthesized the probe molecule NXH . NXH has a specific response to Hg 2+ , and with the addition of (0 ~ 50 µM) Hg 2+ , the fluorescence intensity of the probe solution was quenched from 2352 a.u. to about 308 a.u.. The probe NXH exhibited excellent detection performance of high sensitivity (LOD = 96.3 nM), real-time response (105 s), wide pH range (2.1 ~ 9.3), and strong anti-interference ability for Hg 2+ . At the same time, the probe NXH has wide range of applications for Hg 2+ detection, which can be used to create molecular logic gates, make Hg 2+ detection test paper, as well as the fluorescence imaging of Hg 2+ in Hela live cells and tea samples.