RESUMO
A new acridine-based chemosensor was prepared, characterized and investigated for quantitative detection of Hg2+ ions in aqueous solutions. DFT and TD-DFT calculations showed that formation of a coordination bond between Hg2+ and the thiolate-sensor accounts for the fluorescence quenching, forming [HgLSCl2]2- as the most stable species. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were as low as 4.40 and 14.7 µmol L-1, respectively (R2 = 0.9892, least squares method), and a linear concentration range of 14.7-100 µmol L-1. Benesi-Hildebrand and Job formalisms are in accordance with the formation of a stable complex with a 1:1 (metal ion/sensor) ratio, and a determined binding constant of 5.14 × 103 L mol-1. Robustness was verified based on the variation of several analytical conditions. In addition, the method presented maximum relative standard deviation of 4.6%, and recovery results was (90.3 ± 4,6)% from distilled water, with no effect of interfering ions. Analytical figures of merit showed that the sensor can be an attractive low cost alternative for detection of Hg2+.