Terpyridine-substituted compounds and related selective detection methods
Terpyridine-substituted compounds, compositions and/or related methods, as can be used to selectively detect a wide range of analytes.
1. A method of detecting Hg 2+ ion, the method comprising:
contacting a compound comprising a terpyridine moiety with a sample to be tested for the presence of Hg 2+ under a condition such that, if Hg 2+ ions are present in the sample, at least some of Hg 2+ ions present will bind with the terpyridine moiety; and
detecting a colorimetric change of the sample resulting from the binding of Hg 2+ ions, if present, with the terpyridine moiety,
wherein the compound is a polymer and the terpyridine moiety is pendent to a monomeric component of the polymer, and wherein the colorimetric change is detectable in the presence of one or more ions selected from the group consisting of Ag + , Ba 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Zn 2+ and provides a limit of detection of 2 ppb Hg 2+ at 557 nm, wherein the polymer comprises a backbone selected from the group consisting of a poly(alkylene oxide) backbone, a poly(alkylene) backbone and a poly(methylmethacrylate) backbone.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises at least one non-Hg ion.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the colorimetric change comprises a visible color change.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer comprises the poly(alkylene oxide) backbone.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer comprises the poly(alkylene) backbone.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer comprises the poly(methylmethacrylate) backbone.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer is in a medium selected from solid and liquid media.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the solid medium comprises a substrate coupled to the polymer compound, the substrate being selected from metallic, polymeric and cellulosic substrates.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solid medium comprises a paper strip coated with the compound.