Molecular fluorescence sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury
A fluorescent sensor compound based on a perylene core is described and disclosed. The fluorescent sensor compound for detecting mercury can have a structure I: where A and A′ are linking groups, B and B′ are binding ligands which are selective for binding with Hg 2+ , and R1 through R8 are side groups. These fluorescence sensor materials are robust against photobleaching, while still providing exceptional detection sensitivity and selectivity.
1. A fluorescent sensor compound for detecting mercury having a structure I:
where A and A′ are linking groups, B and B′ are binding ligands which are selective for binding with Hg 2+ , and R1 through R8 are side groups.
2. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein A and A′ are the same.
3. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein B and B′ are thymine having a structure (II)
4. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein B and B′ are the same.
5. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein the binding ligands each have a 2:1 binding ratio with Hg 2+ .
6. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein the R1 through R8 are each hydrogen.
7. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein the R1 to R8 are, independently, hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl.
8. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein R1 to R8 are each hydrogen, wherein A and A′ have the formula
and B and B′ are thymine having a structure (II)
9. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 , wherein A and A′ are independently selected from the group consisting of
wherein n is 1 to 3,
where R is a C1 to C8 alkylene,
C1-C4 alkyl derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
10. The fluorescent sensor compound of claim 9 , wherein A and A′ have the formula
11. A fluorescent sensor solution including an aqueous solution of the fluorescent compound of claim 1 .
12. The solution of claim 11 , further comprising an organic solvent.
13. The solution of claim 12 , wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl formamide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, dioxane, and combinations thereof.
14. The solution of claim 12 , wherein the organic solvent is present from about 40 vol % to about 90 vol % of the solution.
15. A method of detecting mercury ion (Hg 2+ ) in a fluid, comprising:
a) exposing the fluorescent sensor compound of claim 1 to a fluid sample; and
b) displaying a fluorescence change upon exposure of the sensor compound to the fluid sample.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fluorescence change is further measured by a fluorimeter.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the displaying step (b) is a quantitative measure of fluorescence response.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the displaying step (b) is qualitative.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising regenerating the fluorescent sensor compound by flushing with an acid sufficient to remove bound Hg 2+ .
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid.