Bis-BODIPY linked-triazole based on catechol core for selective dual detection of Ag(+) and Hg(2+)

Herein, we introduced a new chemosensor, bis-BODIPY linked-triazole based on catechol (BODIPY-OO) prepared by bridging two units of BODIPY fluorophore/triazole binding group with a catechol unit. A solution of this compound displayed 4- and 2-fold enhancements in fluorescence intensity after adding a mole equivalent amount of Ag(+) and Hg(2+) ions in methanol media, respectively. (1)H NMR titrations of BODIPY-OO with Ag(+) and Hg(2+) suggested that the triazole was involved in the recognition process. BODIPY-OO showed high sensitivity toward Ag(+) and Hg(2+) over other metal ions with detection limits of 0.45 μM and 1 μM, respectively. It can also distinguish Hg(2+) from Ag(+) by addition of an EDTA. This compound can therefore be employed as practical fluorescent probe for monitoring the presence of Ag(+) and Hg(2+) ions.