Detection of Hg²⁺ ion using highly selective fluorescent chemosensor in real water sample and <i>in-vitro</i> cell study upon breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)

A novel rhodamine-based chemosensor (R) was designed and synthesised for selective recognition of Hg2+ ion in real water samples collected from different places. The chemosensor was prepared in green condition with high yield. The selectivity of R was examined with various metal ions, among which only Hg2+ was identified selectively with off–on mechanism along with enhancement of fluorescence. Metal ions recognition has been carried out using UV–vis and fluorescence studies taking µM concentration of chemosensor R in HEPES buffer. The detection limit of R was calculated and found to be 4.4 × 10–9 M. Quantum chemical (DFT) calculation was carried out in order to acquire knowledge about the stability of R in presence of Hg2+ ions. Cell viability and fluorescence microscopic experiments showed R as cytocompatible and can be used as a fluorescent probe for detecting Hg2+ in living cells. Detection of Hg2+ ion using highly selective fluorescent chemosensor in real water sample and in-vitro cell study upon breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) Ashish Kumara, Sumit Kumar Hirab, Partha Pratim Mannac and Swapan Deya*