Quantitative Hg detection via forming three coordination complexes using a lysosome targeting quinoline - Fisher aldehyde fluorophore.

This work describes (Z)-N-((Z)-2-(1,3,3-trimethylindolin-2ylidene)ethylidene)quinoline-8-amine (LYSO-QF), a high-performing and biocompatible dye comprised of quinoline and Fisher aldehyde moieties linked via an imine vinyl backbone with lysosome targeting ability that can be used to quantitatively detect the mercury ion (Hg) in biosystems and the natural environment. This is achieved by forming three different tetrameric, trimeric and dimeric complexes between Hg and LYSO-QF with the limit of detection (LOD) of 11 nm. The complexes formed were analyzed with the aid of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The concentration dependence of the Hg complex fluorescence emission changes from grey-green to jade green and then to red as the different types of complex are formed. The favorable sensor properties of the LYSO-QF probe are demonstrated by monitoring different Hg concentrations in buffer solutions, HeLa cells, zebrafish model samples and several different types of water sample. Experiments with Whatman paper strips demonstrate that the cost-effective LYSO-QF also has considerable potential for use in on-site Hg detection with the naked eye.