A BOPHY based fluorescent probe for Hg 2+ via NTe 2 chelation.

A BOPHY-based organotellurium-containing probe was synthesized and characterized via single crystal XRD for the selective and sensitive detection of Hg 2+ over other metal ions. The probe detects Hg 2+ in less than 1 s with a 2.5-fold enhancement in fluorescent intensity. Due to the chalcogenophilicity of mercury, Hg 2+ was facilely trapped in the NTe 2 chelating cavity of the probe. The probe can detect Hg 2+ in the nanomolar range (62 nM) and it showed reversibility with S 2- ions. The sensitivity of the probe for the detection of Hg 2+ was confirmed in living HeLa cells.