Turn-on fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+) in water.

A new fluorescent chemosensor based on a helical imide as fluorophore and a cyclen moiety as ionophore was synthesized, which not only showed enhanced fluorescent responses in the presence of Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+) but also could simultaneously and selectively distinguish the three cations in a simulated physiological condition with the help of cysteine as an auxiliary reagent.