Novel fluorescent hyperbranched aliphatic polyestertriazole as efficient probe for detecting Hg2+ in water

Photo-luminescent polymers as a kind of talent functional polymer , have been applied in various field such as bioanalysis , detection and materials. Herein we report a novel fluorescent hyperbranched aliphatic polyestertriazole via one-pot azidation and azide-alkynyl cycloaddition of propargyl (2,2-bismethylsulfinyloxymethyl)propionate, an AB 2 pre-monomer, by heat promotion at 110 °C. Under such reaction condition, the methylsulfinyloxy groups were converted into azido groups by NaN 3 , then azide-alkynyl cycloaddition simultaneously happened to give hyperbranched polyestertriazole ( hb -PETA). By the analysis of reaction kinetics monitored with proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , the results clarifies that the whole synthesis was achieved efficiently. The obtained hb -PETA exhibited the blue fluorescence in both bulk and solution upon the exposure of UV light although it had no conventional fluorescent group. The emission wavelength and intensity of hb -PETA in solution were dependent on the solvent and the addition of metal ions . Among various metal ions, hb -PETA was particularly sensitive to Hg 2+ , Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ in water, and showed the excellent quenching efficiency for Hg 2+ . Moreover, the Hg 2+ detecting in water could be achieved highly rapidly and sensitively. We believe this kind of functional polymer could be used in other biological and material area.