Rhodamine-labelled simple architectures for fluorometric and colorimetric sensing of Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ ions in semi-aqueous and aqueous environments

Triazole motif linked rhodamine derivatives 1 and 2 were synthesized. Chemosensor 1 recognizes both Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ ions in CH 3 CN–water (4/1, v/v; 10 μM tris HCl buffer, pH 7.0) both colorimetrically and fluorometrically. In addition, chemosensor 1 is cell permeable and detects intercellular Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ ions. The aqueous phase recognition of these ions was also studied with a resin bound sensor 2 which exhibits more sensitivity and selectivity towards Hg 2+ over Pb 2+ ion.