Monitoring of mercury ion in environmental media and biological systems using a red emissive fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift

The development of practical fluorescent probe for detecting toxic mercury ions (Hg2+) is desirable for environmental assurance and public health. In this study, a new red emissive fluorescent probe (KJL) was designed and synthesized for monitoring trace Hg2+ both in vitro and in vivo with distinct features including ideal response rate (within 4 min), red emission (596 nm), large Stokes shift (162 nm), highly sensitivity (LOD = 4.79 nM) and excellent specificity. KJL also validated the good capability for accurately monitoring trace Hg2+ levels in actual samples (faucet water, drinking water, river water, lake water, urine and serum) and possessed the eye-catching ability in visualization of Hg2+ under environmental/biological conditions, which revealed the great potential of this red-emitting fluorescent probe for practical applications in complex environmental and biological systems.