An aqueous fluorescent probe for Hg(2+) detection with high selectivity and sensitivity.

An aqueous fluorescent probe, 1, was developed for the rapid detection of Hg(2+) with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. Upon the addition of Hg(2+) in pure aqueous media, the Hg(2+)-mediated hydrolysis of vinyl ether and subsequent cyclization reactions converted probe 1 into the corresponding iminocoumarin dye, which is strongly fluorescent when excited. The application of this probe for the detection of intracellular Hg(2+) was successfully demonstrated in living cells.