We report a Hg2+ two-photon fluorescent probe based on spirobifluorene for the first time.
The molecule exhibits high selectivity and excellent sensitivity in both UV/Vis absorbance and one-photon fluorescence detection of Hg2+.
The molecule is a pH probe and suitable to detect acidic regions in cells.
The two-photon emission wavelength change before and after addition of Hg2+ is large.
The molecule enables fluorescence imaging of both the probe and mercury ions in cells by two-photon microscopy.