A novel reaction-based fluorescent probe with a nanomolar sensitivity for detection of Hg(II) and its multiple application.

An easily synthesized reaction-based probe for the fluorescence detection of Hg ions using was reported. The designed probe exhibited "turn-on" fluorescence response towards Hg ions via deprotection of the thiocarbonate-protecting group to alcohol in the HEPES/EtOH=8:2 (v/v, 5 mM, pH 7.4). The investigation results of probe Bzp-1 properties for Hg detection indicated that probe Bzp-1 has satisfactory high selectivity and sensitivity. The detection limit of Bzp-1 for Hg was found to be 4.2 nM. The recognition mechanism of Bzp-1 for Hg was confirmed by ESI-MS. Moreover, the probe Bzp-1 has been successfully used to rapidly detect trace amounts of hazardous Hg ions in real samples such as tap water, seafood and soil with good recoveries and less the relative standard deviations. Moreover, the Bzp-1 can also be used for fluorescence imagining of Hg in living cells.