Highly sensitive colorimetric phosphorescent chemodosimeter for Hg2 + based iridium(III) complex with (Ph2PS)2N auxiliary ligand

A colorimetric phosphorescent iridium(III) complex chemodosimeter (Ir1) for Hg2 + has been prepared and confirmed by NMR, MS, and crystal data, which displays a high selectivity and antidisturbance for Hg2 + detection among relevant metal ions. Phosphorescent studies show that the luminescence intensity at 598 nm decreased to ca. 12%, while the luminescence intensity in 441 nm increased to ca. 195%. The ratio of Ir1 responding to Hg2 + was determined to be 1:1 by UV–vis absorption and phosphorescent emission measurements. Further study demonstrates that the detection limit on phosphorescent response of the sensor to Hg2 + is down to 10− 6 M range. The mechanism study shows that the interaction between the S atom of ancillary ligand and Hg2 + is responsible for the highly selective and sensitive phosphorescent senor for Hg2 +.