A new fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ in aqueous solution

We prepared an aminothiourea-derived Schiff base (DA) as a fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ ions. Addition of 1 equiv of Hg2+ ions to the aqueous solution of DA gave rise to an obvious fluorescence enhancement and the subsequent addition of more Hg2+ induced gradual fluorescence quenching. Other competing ions, including Pb2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co3+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+, did not induce any distinct fluorescence changes, indicating that DA can selectively detect Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.