A simple blue fluorescent probe to detect Hg2+ in semiaqueous environment by intramolecular charge transfer mechanism

An efficient intramolecular charge transfer fluorescent probe bridging benzhydryl moiety and dansyl fluorophore through piperazine unit has been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical behavior of synthesized probe has been analyzed in the presence of different cations in aqueous acetonitrile solution. The probe has shown sensitivity to detect Hg2+ ion selectively over other tested cations at 20 nM level. The probable mode of binding of Hg2+ through the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of piperazine and dansyl has been established by spectral data analysis.