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The synthesis, characterization, and application of mesoporous materials containing boron–dipyrromethene (BODIPY) moieties that allow the sensitive and selective detection of HgII in aqueous environments by fluorescence enhancement is reported. For this purpose, BODIPY dye I containing a thia‐aza crown ether receptor as the fluorescent probe for the detection of HgII in aqueous environments is encapsulated into mesoporous materials to avoid self‐quenching or aggregation in water. Determination of HgII is accomplished within a few seconds with high selectivity and sensitivity, reaching a limit of detection of 12 ppt. The determination of trace amounts of HgII in natural waters and in fish extracts is demonstrated by using our sensing material. The incorporation of the material into several μ‐PAD strips yields a portable, cheap, quick, and easy‐to‐handle tool for trace HgII analysis in water. Simplicity rules: A hybrid indicator material that combines a potent boron–dipyrromethene (BODIPY) probe molecule sterically loaded into specifically tailored mesoporous silica particles allows for the selective determination of trace amounts of HgII in natural waters and fish extracts in a few seconds through fluorescence enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Front Cover shows how differences in color and fluorescence on a test strip can be easily read out with a mobile device. Two reference spots frame the sensitive spot that indicates the presence of trace amounts of HgII below the threshold in a natural water sample. This dipstick contains a hybrid material that combines boron‐dipyrromethene (BODIPY) probes sterically loaded into specifically tailored mesoporous silica particles, allowing for ultrasensitive HgII detection through enhanced fluorescence within a few seconds. More information can be found in the Full Paper by K. Rurack and co‐workers on page 957 in Issue 12, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/open.201800277). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]