Anthraquinone derivatives with different substituents 1–3 were synthesized by introducing the urea group. Their cations' binding properties were investigated by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. Compared with 1 and 2, 3 with electron-withdrawing group (–NO2) showed a remarkable absorption change for Hg2+ over the other metal ions. The anthraquinone moiety and the N–H fragment of the urea moiety played key roles in sensing Hg2+. The ...