New acridine derivatives bearing immobilized azacrown or azathiacrown ligand as fluorescent chemosensors for Hg2+ and Cd2+

Abstract

Two new acridine derivatives bearing azacrown or azathiacrown ligand were synthesized as fluorescent chemosensors for Hg2+ and Cd2+ in aqueous solution. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed selective CHEF (chelation enhanced fluorescence) effects with Hg2+ or Cd2+ among the metal ions examined. The practical use of these probes was demonstrated by their applications to the detection of Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions in mammalian cells. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.