Fluorescent sensors for Hg 2+ are demonstrating their potential in a variety of fields such as environmental and biological applications. The review focuses on the recent development of rhodamine derivatives in which the spirolactam (non-fluorescent) to ring-opened amide (fluorescent) process was utilized and on the development of BODIPY derivatives in which the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process was utilized. New trends in the immobilization of the molecular probes on solid supports, as polymers and/ or nanostructures, have been emphasized. The different recognition mechanisms used for the signal responses have been analyzed. The spectroscopic properties, reaction media, analytical parameters, interferences by other ions and practical applications have been summarized.Arsenio Muñoz de la Peña received his PhD (1981) degree at the University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain. He held post-doctoral positions at the

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