Specific ratiometric fluorescent sensing of Hg2+via the formation of mercury(II) barbiturate coordination polymers

A structurally simple and easily synthesized anthracene derivative bearing a barbituric acid moiety (AnB) was developed as a novel fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ in terms of specific ratiometric fluorescence response to Hg2+ in aqueous solution via the formation of Hg2+–AnB coordination polymers.