We are reporting the fluorescence quenching, IR, Raman, 1 H-NMR, and potentiometric studies for the Zn 2+ :adenine and the Cd 2+ :adenine systems under ambient conditions. IR and Raman spectra suggest that Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ interact with adenine but the modes of interaction differ. Fluorescence spectra indicate that the interaction involving Zn 2+ is more favorable than that of Cd 2+ , and this effect is due to the difference in ionic radii. 1 H-NMR, potentiometry, and speciation diagrams indicate the formation of strong metal ion adenine complexes. Potentiometric titrations of the heavier member of group 12 metals (Hg 2+ ) show similar results to that of Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ . Some differences in the 1 H-NMR experiments appeared between both (Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ ) compared to that of Hg 2+ . Due to the fluorescence quenching of adenine, adenine can be used as a sensor of Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ .