Low Molecular Weight Fluorescent Probes (LMFPs) to Detect the Group 12 Metal Triad

• Main Authors: Ashley D. Johnson, Rose M. Curtis, Karl J. Wallace
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Chemosensors
• Subjects: chemosensors; fluorescence; recognition; sensing; group 12 metals (zinc; cadmium; and mercury)
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/7/2/22
• ISSN: 2227-9040

Fluorescence sensing, of d-block elements such as Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ has significantly increased since the beginning of the 21st century. These particular metal ions play essential roles in biological, industrial, and environmental applications, therefore, there has been a drive to measure, detect, and remediate these metal ions. We have chosen to highlight the low molecular weight fluorescent probes (LMFPs) that undergo an optical response upon coordination with the group 12 triad (Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺), as these metals have similar chemical characteristics but behave differently in the environment.