Design and synthesis of novel rhodamine-based chemodosimeters derived from [2.2]paracyclophane and their application in detection of Hg2+ion

For a better insight into the spectroscopic properties of 2.2]paracyclophane in fluorescent probes, a novel rhodamine-based chemodosimeter bearing 2.2]paracyclophane 4a has been designed and synthesized. The probe 4a exhibits a highly selective and sensitive response to Hg²⁺ over other transition metal ions in aqueous solution. Its detection limit is determined to be 77 nM. The significant changes in the fluorescence color could be used for the naked-eye detection. Furthermore, the probe 4a shows good membrane permeability and can be applied to detect intracellular Hg²⁺ in human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 cells). The crystal structure and spectral properties of its congener 4b that contains one 12-bromo 2.2]paracyclophane group and rhodamine moiety are also investigated for a comparison.