A novel fluorescent chemosensor enables dual-channel selective “turn-on” detection of Hg2+ and Ag+via distinct thiophilic effects, essential mechanisms, and excellent sensing performance for mercury(ii) in aggregated states

A fluorescent probe enables dual-channel selective “turn-on” detection of Hg 2+ and Ag + via distinct thiophilic effects was designed. Mechanisms of this chemosensor and the opposite luminescence behavior of the molecules were carefully explored.