Six-membered spirocycle triggered probe for visualizing Hg2+ in living cells and bacteria-EPS-mineral aggregates.

A novel rhodamine based probe with a unique six-membered spirocycle was rationally designed for detection of Hg(2+) with greatly improved selectivity, sensitivity, and photostability. The probe has been shown to be suitable for Hg(2+) imaging in living cells and mapping Hg(2+) distribution in living cell-EPS-mineral aggregates under anoxic conditions.