Development of a Water-Soluble Fluorescent Probe Based on Natural Flavylium for Mercury(II) Ion Detection and Clinical Antidote Evaluation

The health hazard posed by Hg2+ makes it imperative to develop a fast and convenient means for detecting Hg2+ in water samples and living objects. While fluorescence sensing technology is considered a promising candidate, the poor water solubility and fluorescence quenching in aqueous solutions of most existing probes limit their practical application. To overcome this, we developed a natural flavylium-inspired fluorescent probe with excellent water solubility. Our probe demonstrated outstanding performance of high sensitivity (LOD = 0.47 nM), fast response (<10 min), and great selectivity for Hg2+. Notably, we validated its applicability in real water, urine samples, and living cells. Furthermore, the probe was successfully applied to evaluate the effectiveness of antidotes for clinical Hg2+ poisoning.