A fluorescent “turn-on” probe for the dual-channel detection of Hg(II) and Mg(II) and its application of imaging in living cells

A novel rhodamine-based fluorescent chemosensor (RND) was synthesized that contains two independent fluorophores and acts as a very sensitive, selective and reversible off–on probe for Hg(II). Importantly, this newly developed sensing system exhibited different fluorescent responses toward Hg(II) and Mg(II) at 589 nm and 523 nm, respectively. RND also displayed detectable color change upon treatment with Hg(II). Results from confocal laser scanning microscopy experiments demonstrated that this chemosensor is cell permeable and can be used as a fluorescent probe for monitoring Hg(II) or Mg(II) in living cells. This probe can also indirectly detect glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys) with good linear relationships.