The method of fluorescent probes has been an important technique for detection of nitrite (NO2−). As an important inorganic salt, excessive nitrite would threaten humans and the environment. In this paper, a colorimetric fluorescent probe P‐N (1,2‐diaminoanthraquinone) with rapid response and high selectivity, which could detect NO2− by visual colour changes and fluorescence spectroscopy is presented. The probe P‐N solution (pH 1) changed from pink to colourless with the addition of NO2− and fluorescence intensity at 639 nm clearly decreased. Good linear exists between fluorescence intensities and NO2− concentrations for the range 0–16 μM, and the detection limit was 54 nM (based on a 3σ/slope). Moreover, probe P‐N could also detect NO2− in real water samples, and results were all satisfactory. Probe P‐N shows great practical application value for detecting NO2− in the environment.

A novel water-soluble, highly selective and sensitive rapid-response fluorescent probe was developed to monitor mercury ions in real water samples.

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