Selective and sensitive ratiometric detection of Hg2+ in 100% aqueous solution with triazole-based dansyl probe

• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm15664d
• Publication Date: 2012-01-25T11:51:11Z
• Authors: Lok Nath Neupane; Joung Min Kim; Chuda Raj Lohani; Keun-Hyeung Lee
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

An amino acid-based fluorescent sensor (3) bearing a triazole group was synthesized by solid phase synthesis using click chemistry. 3 showed highly sensitive ratiometric response to Hg2+ in 100% aqueous solution. The dissociation constant for Hg2+ in aqueous solution was calculated to be 672 nM. 3 exhibited selective response to Hg2+ among 13 tested metal ions and the sensitive detection of Hg2+ by 3 was not interfered by other heavy metal ions, Group I and II metal ions. 1H NMR analysis revealed that two sulfonamide and triazole groups of 3 played a critical role in the interactions with Hg2+. 3 penetrated live cells and detected intracellular Hg2+. 3 allowed selective and sensitive ratiometric detection of Hg2+ in live cells as well as in 100% aqueous solution.