A new BODIPY-based fluorescent “turn-on” probe for highly selective and rapid detection of mercury ions

A new fluorescent sensor based on the BODIPY fluorophore and the carboxyl-thiol metal bonding receptor for Hg2+ was designed and synthesized. The sensor is highly selective for Hg2+ (about 630-fold fluorescence enhancement) over relevant competing metal ions, sensitive to ppb levels of Hg2+ (with detection limit of 5.7 nM), and fast response toward Hg2+ (within 30 s) in aqueous solution.