We synthesized a mercury sensor was explored the interaction of the sensor and Hg²⁺ by MS, ¹H NMR and IR.

This sensor combines two naphthalene groups as signaling subunits and the presence of imine group which was oxidized to amide with DMSO and Hg²⁺ confers the coordination capacity required to coordinate Hg²⁺ ion.

The fluorescence revealed that receptor G is an excellent sensor in the recognition to Hg²⁺ selectively.

The test strips containing G were fabricated, which also shows a highly sensitively to Hg²⁺.