A ‘turn-off’ fluorescence sensor for selective Hg(II) based on phenothiazine derivative

Given how crucial it is to preserve a human-safe and sustainable environment, the rapid discovery of possibly lethal heavy metals such as Hg(II) has drawn much attention in recent years. A novel sensor, known as (E)-2-((10-octyl-10H-phenothiazin-3-yl)methylene)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (PTZHC), was synthesized as a fluorescence ‘on–off’ sensor for Hg²⁺ ions. Coordination alters organic molecule electron densities, quenching the fluorescence intensity. PTZHC was described completely with the help of FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectrum studies. The Hg²⁺ ion was successfully detected using the PTZHC sensor even when there were other metal ions present. The limit of the detection was estimated to be 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M and the Job's plot examination implied that PTZHC was bound to Hg²⁺ with a simple 1:1 stoichiometry in s CH₃CN/H₂O (9:1, v/v) suspension. To further cast light on the bridged effect on geometric and optoelectronic characteristics, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level and DFT were both examined.