Rhodamine B hydrazide revisited: Chemodosimetric Hg2+-selective signaling behavior in aqueous environments

Abstract

The well-known Cu2+-selective chemodosimetric behavior of rhodamine B hydrazide was successfully switched to selectivity for Hg2+. The fluorescence signaling is remarkably selective toward Hg2+ ions compared to other common biologically and environmentally important metal ions, including Cu2+ ions. The detection limit was 0.2 mu M in an acetate-buffered aqueous 10% methanol solution at pH 5. The OFF-ON type of signaling is due to the selective Hg2+-induced hydrolysis of the lactam ring of the hydrazide as has been reported for the standard Cu2+-signaling process of the same compound. A simple change in medium resulted in clear switching of selective signaling from Cu2+ to Hg2+, which extends the applicability of the easily accessible hydrazide derivative.