Dinuclear Hg^II tetracarbene complex-triggered aggregation-induced emission for rapid and selective sensing of Hg²⁺ and organomercury species.

ABSTRACT: Rapid, reliable and highly selective detection of mercury species, including Hg²⁺ ions and organomercury, is of significant importance for environmental protection and human health. Herein, a new fluorescent dye 1,1,2,2-tetrakis[4-(3-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)phenyl ethylene tetraiodide (Tmbipe) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) potential was prepared and characterized. The presence of four positively charged methylated benzimidazole groups endows Tmbipe with excellent water solubility and almost undetectable background fluorescence. However, it can coordinate with two Hg²⁺ ions or two organomercury molecules (e.g. methylmercury and phenylmercury) to form a planar dinuclear Hg^II tetracarbene complex, which can then self-a

SUBMITTER: Yuan B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6472046 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature