Recent Advances in Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes Based on Organic Small Molecules for the Detection and Imaging of Heavy Metal Ions
- 1College of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang 473061, China
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution poses a severe threat to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, it is important to develop rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection methods. Fluorescent probes with near-infrared (NIR, 650–900 nm) emission have emerged as powerful analytical tools owing to their distinct advantages, including low background interference, deep-tissue penetration, minimal photodamage, and high signal-to-noise ratios, which make them particularly attractive for both environmental monitoring and bioimaging applications. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in NIR organic small-molecule fluorescent probes for the detection of heavy metal ions, covering the period from 2022. Representative examples are categorized and discussed, with a focus on key metal ions such as Cu2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+. The molecular design strategies, sensing performance, and practical applications in environmental samples, food samples and biological imaging are critically discussed. Furthermore, current challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly advancing field are highlighted.
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BibTeX
@article{zong2026recent,
title = {{Recent Advances in Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes Based on Organic Small Molecules for the Detection and Imaging of Heavy Metal Ions}},
author = {Luyi Zong and Jun Zhang and Xianchao Du and Xiaojing Xing and Dongfang Qiu},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31203621},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3621},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Recent Advances in Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes Based on Organic Small Molecules for the Detection and Imaging of Heavy Metal Ions
AU - Luyi Zong
AU - Jun Zhang
AU - Xianchao Du
AU - Xiaojing Xing
AU - Dongfang Qiu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/11
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31203621
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3621
AB - Heavy metal pollution poses a severe threat to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, it is important to develop rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection methods. Fluorescent probes with near-infrared (NIR, 650–900 nm) emission have emerged as powerful analytical tools owing to their distinct advantages, including low background interference, deep-tissue penetration, minimal photodamage, and high signal-to-noise ratios, which make them particularly attractive for both environmental monitoring and bioimaging applications. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in NIR organic small-molecule fluorescent probes for the detection of heavy metal ions, covering the period from 2022. Representative examples are categorized and discussed, with a focus on key metal ions such as Cu2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+. The molecular design strategies, sensing performance, and practical applications in environmental samples, food samples and biological imaging are critically discussed. Furthermore, current challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly advancing field are highlighted.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -