Sensing behavior and logic operation of a colorimetric fluorescence sensor for Hg(2+)/Cu(2+) ions.

Abstract A BODIPY-based 1 as a colorimetric fluorescence sensor was synthesized, and its metal sensing property was investigated. 1 displayed high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg 2 + and Cu 2 + ions among 15 different metal cations. The addition of Hg 2 + and Cu 2 + ions into 1 in CH 3 CN resulted in a significant bathochromic shift of the UV absorption spectra from 533 nm to 560 nm and 593 nm, respectively, changing the corresponding colors from pink to purple and blue. When excited at 530 nm, the fluorescence intensity of 1 was quenched over 75% upon addition of Hg 2 + ions, while 1 with Cu 2 + ions exhibited significant fluorescence enhancement with a 23 nm red-shift. Based on these results, three logic gates (OR, IMPLICATION, and INHIBIT) were obtained by controlling the chemical inputs.