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 598nm decreased to ca. 12%, while the luminescence intensity in 441nm 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 10−6M 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+.