A novel berberine-based colorimetric and fluorometric probe for Hg2+ detection and its applications in water samples

The development of small molecule fluorescent probes for detection of heavy metal ions is highly desirable in fluorescent sensors area, and mercury (Hg2+) is a heavy metal pollutant in environment and food chain processes. Herein, we reported the design and synthesis of a novel berberine-based fluorescent probe P1, which can specifically recognize Hg2+ in CH3OH/PBS (8:2, v/v, pH = 7.4, 10 mM) solution by the colorimetric and fluorometric changes. The probe P1 displayed high selectivity, superior sensitivity and fast response toward Hg2+ with a low detection limit and a wide range of pH values. This probe can provide a convenient and effective way for Hg2+ detection on test paper strips. Moreover, the probe P1 can be applied to quantitatively detect Hg2+ in real environmental water samples.