A Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection and Imaging of Mercury Ions in Living Cells.

The selective and efficient monitoring of mercury (Hg ) contamination found in the environment and ecosystem has been carried out. Thus, a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NADP for the detection of Hg based on a fluorescence enhancement strategy has been designed and synthesized. The NADP probe can detect Hg with high selectivity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 13 nm. The detection mechanism was based on a Hg -triggered deprotection reaction, resulting in a dramatic change in fluorescence from colorless to green at physiological pH. Most importantly, biological investigation has shown that the NADP probe can be successfully applied to the monitoring of Hg in living cells and zebrafish with low cytotoxicity.