A new rhodamine appended tripodal receptor 1 has been designed and synthesized. The receptor selectively recognizes Hg2+ ions in CH3CN–water (4: 1, v/v; 10 μM tris HCl buffer, pH 7.0) by displaying a ratiometric change in emission. Additionally, the visual detection is possible by a sharp change in color. The receptor shows in vitro detection of Hg2+ ions in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells.
[Kashima, Choji; Harada, Kazuo Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: Organic and Bio-Organic Chemistry (1972-1999), 1988 , p. 1521 - 1526]