Two novel rhodamine-based fluorescence enhanced molecular probes (RA1 and RA2) were synthesized, which were both designed as comparative fiuoroionophore and chromophore for the optical detection of Hg^2+. The recognizing behaviors were investigated both experimentally and computationally. They exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg^2+ over other commonly coexistent metal ions in CH3CN/H2O (1:1, V/V) solution. Test shows that hydroxy benzene of rich electron was beneficial to the chelate of Hg^2+ with sensors. The detection limit was measured to be at least 0.14 p.mol/L. After addition of Hg^2+, the color changed from colourless to pink, which was easily and hydrogel sensor. detected by the naked eye in both solution