Novel 2,3-bis(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinoxaline-functionalized Schiff bases were prepared and characterized as new fluorescent sensors for mercury(II) ion. The X-ray crystal structures of compounds 4, 5, 4a and 5a were determined. The binding properties of 4 and 5 for cations were examined by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The UV-vis and fluorescence data indicate that a 1 : 1 stoichiometric complex is formed between compound 4 (or 5) and mercury(II) ion, and the association constant is (3.81 +/- 0.7) x 10(5) M(-1) for 4 and (3.43 +/- 0.53) x 10(5) M(-1) for 5. The recognition mechanism between compound 4 (or 5) and metal ion was discussed based on their chemical construction and the fluorescence quenching effect when they interact with each other. Competition experiments revealed that compound 4 (or 5) has a highly selective response to mercury(II) ion in aqueous solution.