A Novel “Off–On” NIR Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Hg2+ Based on Dicyanoisophorone and Its Application in Bio-imaging and Real Water Samples

An “AIE + ESIPT” mechanism-based benzothiazole-derived fluorescent probe for the detection of Hg2+and its applications

“…Mercury ion (Hg 2+ ), as one of the most common heavy metal ion contaminants, [1][2][3][4] has been widely employed in industrial production and the preparation of electronic devices, inevitably posing a serious threat to the natural environment and human health. 5,6 Hg 2+ in air, water, and soil could enter readily into human bodies through the food chain, [7][8][9] leading to a devastating effect on human health such as kidney tissue damage and central nervous system disorders associated with the Minamata incident that occurred in Japan due to mercury-contaminated seafood. 10 In addition, inorganic mercury reagents (Hg and Hg 2+ ) can be readily transformed into more dangerous organic mercury compounds by microorganisms, among which the well-known dimethylmercury [(CH 3 ) 2 Hg] is very poisonous 11 and lethal if even a few microliters come in contact with skin.…”