A new rhodamine-based single molecule multianalyte (Cu~(2+), Hg~(2+)) sensor and its application in the biological system

摘要

A new single molecule multianalyte sensor, vanillic aldehyde rhodamine 6G hydrazone has been designed for the selective detection of Cu~(2+) and Hg~(2+) ions. UV/Vis spectroscopy indicates that the sensor is a good chromogenic chemosensor for Cu~(2+) in 1:99 (v/v) ethanol-water media. Whereas, other ions, such as Li~+, Na~+, Mg~(2+), K~+, Ca~(2+), Cr~(3+), Mn~(2+), Fe~(3+), Co~(2+), Ni~(2+), Zn~(2+), Ag~+, Cd~(2+), Ba~(2+), Hg~(2+) and Pb~(2+) failed to generate a distinct response. Fluorescence spectral data reveals that the sensor is an excellent fluorescent chemosensor for Hg~(2+) in aqueous ethanol solution and with no fluorescent response toward other ions. The spectroscopic behavior of the sensor in living cells indicated that it can be used for the detection of Cu~(2+) and Hg~(2+) in environmental and biological systems. Mechanisms for the high selectivity of the sensor to Cu~(2+) and Hg~(2+) are discussed.