A novel fluorescence sensor for dual sensing of Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions

A novel fluorescence probe (L) was prepared and its sensing behavior toward metal ions was investigated. Probe L exhibited colorimetric response toward Hg2+ and fluorescence enhancement with an obvious blue shift toward Cu2+ in CH3CN/H2O (v/v, 9:1). The association constant for probe L-Hg2+ and probe L-Cu2+ in CH3CN/H2O (v/v, 9:1) was determined as 1.5 × 104 M−1 and 5.3 × 108 M−2, respectively. The detection limit of probe L for the analysis of Hg2+ and Cu2+ was determined as 22.69 ppb and 155.53 ppb, respectively.