Naked-eye chromogenic and fluorogenic chemosensor for mercury (II) ion based on substituted distyryl BODIPY complex

One kind of novel distyryl substituted BODIPY-based fluorescent chemosensor 2 for Hg2+ ion sensing has been reported. Large hypsochromic shift of the absorption band is observed upon titration with Hg2+ ion resulting in a solution color change from green to light yellow, enabling “naked-eye” detection possible. Meanwhile, the fluorescence intensity of 2 around 680 nm was quenched upon adding Hg2+ ion due to the blocking of the ICT process. Most importantly, chemosensor 2 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2+ ion over other metal ions in aqueous solutions.