A rapid Hg2+ sensor based on aza-15-crown-5 ether functionalized 1,8-naphthalimide

A new 1,8-naphthalimide derivative bearing an aza-15-crown-5 macrocycle (1) has been synthesized as a chemosensor for Hg2+ by a two-step reaction. The sensor shows selectivity to Hg2+ over 11 other metal cations in aqueous media. Upon addition of Hg2+, the fluorescence emission of the sensor at 537 nm is significantly quenched along with 22 nm blue-shift that makes this compound a useful sensor for Hg2+ measurement.