An organopalladium chromogenic chemodosimeter for the selective naked-eye detection of Hg(2+) and MeHg(+) in water-ethanol 1 : 1 mixture

An organopalladium chemical dosimeter of Hg(2+) that methylates Hg(2+), undergoing a colour change in 1 : 1 ethanol-water with submicromolar sensitivity, gives rise to an aqua-palladium complex that is methylated by MeHg(+) in the presence of a dithiol compound, undergoing another colour change, thus making the system suitable for the naked-eye detection of Hg(2+) and MeHg(+), two environmentally important species of Hg(2+).     

UV irradiation controlled cold vapor generation using SnCl2 as reductant for mercury speciation.

A simple and ultrasensitive method, which was based on cold vapor generation (CVG) coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), was proposed for speciation analysis of inorganic mercury (Hg2+) and methylmercury (MeHg) in water samples. In the presence of UV irradiation, all the mercury (MeHg+Hg2+) in a sample solution can be reduced to Hg0 by SnCl2; without UV irradiation, only Hg2+ species can be determined. So the concentration of MeHg can be obtained from the difference of the total mercury and Hg2+ concentration; thus, speciation analysis of Hg2+ and MeHg was simply achieved without chromatographic separation. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the limits of detection were 0.01 ng mL-1 for both Hg2+ and MeHg. The sensitivity and limit of detection were not dependent on the mercury species, and a simple Hg2+ aqueous standard series can be used for the determination of both Hg2+ and MeHg.     

Simultaneous determination of inorganic mercury and methylmercury compounds in natural waters

The purpose of the present work was to develop a simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate method for the simultaneous determination of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) and monomethylmercury compounds (MeHg) in natural water samples at the pg L(-1) level. The method is based on the simultaneous extraction of MeHg and Hg(2+)dithizonates into an organic solvent (toluene) after acidification of about 300 mL of a water sample, followed by back extraction into an aqueous solution of Na(2)S, removal of H(2)S by purging with N(2), subsequent ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate, room temperature precollection on Tenax, isothermal gas chromatographic separation (GC), pyrolysis and cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometric detection (CV AFS) of mercury. The limit of detection calculated on the basis of three times the standard deviation of the blank was about 0.006 ng L(-1) for MeHg and 0.06 ng L(-1) for Hg(2+)when 300 mL of water was analysed. The repeatability of the results was about 5% for MeHg and 10% for Hg(2+). Recoveries were 90-110% for both species.     

Applicability of multisyringe chromatography coupled to cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry for mercury speciation analysis

In this paper, a novel automatic approach for the speciation of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)), methylmercury (MeHg(+)) and ethylmercury (EtHg(+)) using multisyringe chromatography (MSC) coupled to cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV/AFS) was developed. For the first time, the separation of mercury species was accomplished on a RP C18 monolithic column using a multi-isocratic elution program. The elution protocol involved the use of 0.005% 2-mercapthoethanol in 240 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6)-acetonitrile (99:1, v/v), followed by 0.005% 2-mercapthoethanol in 240 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6)-acetonitrile (90:10, v/v). The eluted mercury species were then oxidized under post-column UV radiation and reduced using tin(II) chloride in an acidic medium. Subsequently, the generated mercury metal were separated from the reaction mixture and further atomized in the flame atomizer and detected by AFS. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the limits of detection (3σ) were found to be 0.03, 0.11 and 0.09 μg L(-1) for MeHg(+), Hg(2+) and EtHg(+), respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n=6) of the peak height for 3, 6 and 3 μg L(-1) of MeHg(+), Hg(2+) and EtHg(+) (as Hg) ranged from 2.4 to 4.0%. Compared with the conventional HPLC-CV/AFS hyphenated systems, the proposed MSC-CV/AFS system permitted a higher sampling frequency and low instrumental and operational costs. The developed method was validated by the determination of a certified reference material DORM-2 (dogfish muscle), and was further applied for the determination of mercury species environmental and biological samples.     

A methodological study of mercury speciation using dogfish liver CRM (DOLT-2)

The purpose of the study was to optimise analytical methods for determination of the chemical speciation of mercury in studies of protective mechanisms of selenium. Optimisation of the methods was performed using CRM DOLT-2 (Dogfish liver), both in its original form and after separation of various fractions. The sample was homogenised with 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.6) and ultracentrifuged. The soluble phase obtained was applied to a size exclusion chromatography column (Sephadex G-75 column) for separation of various protein fractions. Total mercury (total Hg), monomethyl mercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) were determined in whole dogfish liver tissue and its soluble and insoluble phases (pellet). Different approaches for determination of total Hg and MeHg were compared. Simultaneous determination of MeHg and inorganic mercury (Hg2+) was based on alkaline dissolution and/or acid leaching, followed by ethylation, room temperature precollection, isothermal gas chromatography (GC), pyrolysis and detection with cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS). The sum of MeHg and Hg2+ was compared to total Hg results obtained by acid digestion and CVAAS detection. The accuracy of MeHg determination was checked by its determination using acid leaching at room temperature, solvent extraction, back extraction into Milli-Q water, ethylation, GC and CVAFS detection. For the insoluble phase it is recommended to use solvent extraction for MeHg and acid digestion CVAAS for total Hg. For determination of MeHg and Hg2+ in the lyophilised sample and water soluble fractions containing low concentrations of mercury species, the simultaneous measurement of MeHg and Hg2+ after alkaline dissolution is the most appropriate method.     

Multiplexed analysis of silver(I) and mercury(II) ions using oligonucletide-metal nanoparticle conjugates

A colorimetric assay has been developed for the simultaneous selective detection of silver(I) and mercury(II) ions utilizing metal nanoparticles (NPs) as sensing element based on their unique surface plasmon resonance properties. In this method, sulfhydryl group modified cytosine-(C)-rich ssDNA (SH-C-ssDNA) was self-assembled on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to produce the AuNPs-C-ssDNA complex, and sulfhydryl group modified thymine-(T)-rich ssDNA (SH-T-ssDNA) was self-assembled on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to produce the AgNPs-T-ssDNA complex. Oligonucleotides (SH-C-ssDNA or SH-T-ssDNA) could enhance the AuNPs or AgNPs against salt-induced aggregation. However, the presence of silver(I) ions (Ag(+)) in the complex of ssDNA-AuNPs would reduce the stability of AuNPs due to the formation of Ag(+) mediated C-Ag(+)-C base pairs accompanied with the AuNPs color change from red to purple or even to dark blue. Moreover, the presence of mercury(II) ions (Hg(2+)) would also reduce the stability of AgNPs due to the formation of Hg(2+) mediated T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs accompanied with the AgNPs color change from yellow to brown, then to dark purple. The presence of both Ag(+) and Hg(2+) will reduce the stability of both AuNPs and AgNPs and cause the visible color change. As a result, Ag(+) and Hg(2+) could be detected qualitatively and quantitatively by the naked eye or by UV-vis spectral measurement. The lowest detectable concentration of a 5 nM mixture of Ag(+) and Hg(2+) in the river water was gotten by the UV-vis spectral measurement.     

Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by calcined Zn-Al-Zr layered double hydroxide

The adsorption equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics of removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D) from aqueous solutions by a calcined Zn-Al layered double hydroxide incorporated with Zr(4+) were studied with respect to time, temperature, pH, and initial 2,4-D concentration. Zr(4+) incorporation into the LDH was used to enhance 2,4-D uptake by creating higher positive charges and surface/layer modification of the adsorbent. The LDH was capable of removing up to 98% of 2,4-D from 5 to 400 ppm aqueous at adsorbent dosages of 500 and 5000 mg L(-1). The adsorption was described by a Langmuir-type isotherm. The percentage 2,4-D removed was directly proportional to the adsorbent dosage and was optimized with 8% Zr(4+) ion content, relative to the total metals (Zr(4+)+Al(3+)+Zn(2+)). Selected mass transfer and kinetic models were applied to the experimental data to examine uptake mechanism. The boundary layer and intra-particle diffusion played important roles in the adsorption mechanisms of 2,4-D, and the kinetics followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model with an enthalpy, ΔH(ads) of -27.7±0.9 kJ mol(-1). Regeneration studies showed a 6% reduction in 2,4-D uptake capacity over six adsorption-desorption cycles when exposed to an analyte concentration of 100 ppm.     

微波萃取高效液相色谱-冷原子荧光光谱法测定沉积物中甲基汞和无机汞

建立了微波萃取高效液相色谱-冷原子荧光光谱法(MAE-HPLC-CVAFS)测定沉积物中甲基汞(MeHg+)和无机汞(Hg2+)的方法。以0.1%(V/V)2-巯基乙醇为萃取剂,用于沉积物样品中汞形态的萃取,在80℃下萃取8 min,萃取液直接注入HPLC-CVAFS系统分析。在优化条件下,MeHg+和Hg2+的检出限分别为0.58和0.48 ng/g;加标回收率分别为96.2%和95.8%;RSD(n=6)分别为5.7%和4.1%。对标准参考物质(IAEA-405和ERM-CC580)的分析结果与推荐值一致。本方法简单、快速、准确、检出限低,抗干扰能力强,具有很好的实用性和推广价值。     

Influence of Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ on (+)-catechin binding to bovine serum albumin studied by fluorescence spectroscopic methods

The effect of heavy metal ions, Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) on (+)-catechin binding to bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated by spectroscopic methods. The results indicated that the presence of heavy metal ions significantly affected the binding modes and binding affinities of (+)-catechin to BSA, and the effects depend on the types of heavy metal ion. One binding mode was found for (+)-catechin with and without Cd(2+), while two binding modes - a weaker one at low concentration and a stronger one at high concentration were found for (+)-catechin in the presence of Hg(2+) and Pb(2+). The presence of Cd(2+) decreased the binding affinities of (+)-catechin for BSA by 20.5%. The presence of Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) decreased the binding affinity of (+)-catechin for BSA by 8.9% and 26.7% in lower concentration, respectively, and increased the binding affinity of (+)-catechin for BSA by 5.2% and 9.2% in higher concentration, respectively. The changed binding affinity and binding distance of (+)-catechin for BSA in the presence of Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) were mainly because of the conformational change of BSA induced by heavy metal ions. However, the quenching mechanism for (+)-catechin to BSA was based on static quenching combined with non-radiative energy transfer irrespective of the absence or presence of heavy metal ions.     

Molecular view of the anomalous acidities of Sn2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+

Experimental results taken from both the condensed and gaseous phase show that, when associated with water, the three dications Sn(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+) exhibit a facile proton-transfer reaction. In the gas phase, no stable [M.(H(2)O)(n)](2+) ions are observed; but instead the cations appear to undergo rapid hydrolysis to give ions of the form M(+)OH(H(2)O)(n-1). A series of ab initio calculations have been undertaken on the structures and proton-transfer reaction profiles associated with the complexes [M.(H(2)O)(2,4)](2+), where M is one of Sn, Pb, Hg, and Ca. The latter has been used as a reference point both in terms of comparisons with previous calculations, and the fact that Ca(2+) is a very weak acid. The calculations show that for Sn(2+), Pb(2+), and Hg(2+), the only barriers to proton transfer are those associated with the movement of water molecules. In the gas phase, these barriers could be overcome through energy gained during ion formation, and in the condensed phase the thermal motion of water molecules would be sufficient. In contrast, the calculations show that for Ca(2+) it is the proton-transfer step that provides the most significant reaction barrier. Proton transfer in Sn(2+) and Pb(2+) is further assisted by distortions in the geometries of [M.(H(2)O)(2,4)](2+) complexes due to voids created by the 5s(2) (6s(2)) inert lone pair. For Hg(2+), ease of proton transfer is derived partly from the high degree of covalent bonding found in both the reactants and products.     

Mercury speciation and total trace element determination of low-biomass biological samples

Current approaches to mercury speciation and total trace element analysis require separate extraction/digestions of the sample. Ecologically important aquatic organisms--notably primary consumers such as zooplankton, polychaetes and amphipods--usually yield very low biomass for analysis, even with significant compositing of multiple organisms. Individual organisms in the lower aquatic food chains (mussels, snails, oysters, silversides, killifish) can also have very low sample mass, and analysis of whole single organisms is important to metal uptake studies. A method for the determination of both methyl Hg and total heavy metal concentrations (Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg, Pb) in a single, low-mass sample of aquatic organisms was developed. Samples (2 to 50 mg) were spiked with enriched with (201)MeHg and (199)Hg, then leached in 4 M HNO(3) at 55 degrees C for extraction of MeHg. After 16 h, an aliquot (0.05 mL) was removed to determine mercury species (methyl and inorganic Hg) by isotope dilution gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The leachate was then acidified to 9 M HNO(3) and digested in a microwave at 150 degrees C for 10 min, and total metal concentrations were determined by collision cell ICP-MS. The method was validated by analyzing five biological certified reference materials. Average percent recoveries for Zn, As, Se, Cd, MeHg, Hg(total) and Pb were 99.9%, 103.5%, 100.4%, 103.3%, 101%, 97.7%, and 97.1%, respectively. The correlation between the sum of MeHg and inorganic Hg from the speciation analysis and total Hg by conventional digestion of the sample was determined for a large sample set of aquatic invertebrates (n = 285). Excellent agreement between the two measured values was achieved. This method is advantageous in situations where sample size is limited, and where correlations between Hg species and other metals are required in the same sample. The method also provides further validation of speciation data, by corroborating the sum of the Hg species concentrations with the total Hg concentration.     

Detection of mercury and phenylmercury ions using DNA-based fluorescent probe

A DNA probe labeled with a 4-([4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]azo)benzoic acid (DABCYL) quencher and a carboxyfluorescein (FAM) donor at its 5'- and 3'-termini can be used for the detection of Hg(2+) ions and phenylmercury ions (PhHg(+)). This DNA probe possesses a random coil structure that changes into a hairpin-like structure upon binding Hg(2+) and PhHg(+) ions. As a result, the fluorescence of the FAM unit decreased through quenching between the donor and the quencher. In the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the DNA probe allowed the selective detection of PhHg(+) ions at concentrations as low as 70.0 nM, mainly as a result of T-Hg(2+)-T coordination and π-π stacking between the Ph unit and DNA bases. A linear correlation existed between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of PhHg(+) ions over the range from 0.10 to 1.0 μM (R(2) = 0.99). After acid hydrolysis and neutralization of the samples, all of the mercury species are converted to Hg(2+) ions, allowing us to use the DNA-based probe to determine the concentrations of total mercury species at the nM level. The practicality of this probe has been validated by the analyses of pond water and fish samples, showing its advantages of sensitivity, selectivity, and simplicity.     

Cyclic control of the surface properties of a monolayer-functionalized electrode by the electrochemical generation of Hg nanoclusters

Hg(2+) ions are bound to a 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol (BDMT) monolayer assembled on a Au electrode. Electrochemical reduction of the Hg(2+)-BDMT monolayer to Hg(+)-BDMT (at E degrees =0.48 V) and subsequently to Hg(0)-BDMT (at E degrees =0.2 V) proceeds with electron-transfer rate constants of 8 and 11 s(-1), respectively. The Hg(0) atoms cluster into aggregates that exhibit dimensions of 30 nm to 2 microm, within a time interval of minutes. Electrochemical oxidation of the nanoclusters to Hg(+) and further oxidation to Hg(2+) ions proceeds with electron-transfer rate constants corresponding to 9 and 43 s(-1), respectively, and the redistribution of Hg(2+) on the thiolated monolayer occurs within approximately 15 s. The reduction of the Hg(2+) ions to the Hg(0) nanoclusters and their reverse electrochemical oxidation proceed without the dissolution of mercury species to the electrolyte, implying high affinities of Hg(2+), Hg(+), and Hg(0) to the thiolated monolayer. The electrochemical transformation of the Hg(2+)-thiolated monolayer to the Hg(0)-nanocluster-functionalized monolayer is characterized by electrochemical means, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact-angle measurements. The Hg(0)-nanocluster-modified surface reveals enhanced hydrophobicity (contact angle 76 degrees ) as compared to the Hg(2+)-thiolated monolayer (contact angle 57 degrees ). The hydrophobic properties of the Hg(0)-nanocluster-modified electrode are further supported by force measurements employing a hydrophobically modified AFM tip.     

Observation of intramolecular singlet and triplet excimers of tethered naphthalene moieties under the geometric constraints imposed by the host framework of zeolites

This paper describes the emission spectroscopic investigation of singlet and triplet excimers of tethered bisnaphthalene species at room temperature. 1,1'-Dinaphthylethane (DNE) and 1,1'-dinaphthylpropane (DNP) were incorporated into a 3-D network of a 1.3 nm diameter pseudo-spherical supercage of zeolites Y (with an entry aperture of 0.74 nm), and a 1-D channel of zeolite L with a 0.71 nm aperture. In the straight channel of zeolite L, DNP adopts a parallel-sandwich conformation as suggested by the observation of entirely excimeric fluorescence, while DNE can only enter the channel in an open form. As a result, incorporation of DNP into zeolite L exchanged with Tl(+) ions, which induce enhanced intersystem-crossing, allowed the observation of a broad and featureless phosphorescence spectrum that is ascribable to the triplet excimer of DNP. In contrast, an entirely monomeric phosphorescence is observed for DNE. Furthermore, we observed a monomeric phosphorescence spectrum for DNP in Tl(+)-exchanged zeolite Y, in which DNP was shown to assume its open conformation. Thus the parallel-sandwich structure is responsible for the triplet excimer of the bisnaphthalene species as well as for the singlet counterpart. The parallel-sandwich conformation of the triplet excimer of DNP immobilized by the host framework is significantly different from the previously proposed L-shaped configuration in solution. However, it is very similar to that of the triplet excimer of triple-tethered carbazolophane, as revealed quite recently by Ohkita's group (J. Phys. Chem. B, 2007, 111, 10905). Thus the present study helps tackle the long-term issue of triplet excimer through the use of zeolites.     

固相萃取-衍生化-气相色谱法测定血液中的3种苯氧羧酸类除草剂

建立了一种血液中2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸(2,4-D)、2-(2,4-二氯苯氧)-丙酸(2,4-DP)和4-氯-2-甲基-苯氧乙酸(MCPA)3种苯氧羧酸类除草剂的分析方法.血样用0.1 mol/L盐酸稀释后用GDX401大孔树脂吸附、用乙醚洗脱,萃取物用二氯丙醇在硫酸催化下进行酯化衍生,衍生物经气相色谱-电子捕获检测.2,4-D、2,4-DP和MCPA的检测限分别为20,8和40 ng/mL.定量分析用2,4-二氯苯乙酸作内标,线性关系和回收率结果均令人满意.     

Determination of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in whole blood by headspace, cryofocusing gas chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of different mercury species in whole blood is described. Inorganic mercury (InHg) was determined in 2 ml of standard solutions or blood samples using head space (HS) injection coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after treatment with concentrated sulfuric and tin(II) chloride as a reductant agent in a closed HS vial. After stirring, the InHg was converted to elementary mercury and carried with a nitrogen flow through a quartz cell heated at 200 degrees C and the absorbance signal was evaluated by AAS. For the determination of methylmercury (MeHg), 2 ml of a standard solution or a blood sample were treated with 10 mg of iodoacetic acid and 0.4 ml of concentrated H2SO4. Then, the MeHg species were HS-injected into a gas chromatograph (GC), separated on a semicapillary column (AT-1000) with a flow of helium, then carried to the quartz cell heated at 1000 degrees C and detected by AAS. The high content of salts in blood samples, where sodium chloride is the major component (0.14 mol l-1), affected the gas-liquid distribution coefficient of both mercury species in the HS vial. A linear calibration graph was obtained in the ranges 1-20 and 1-125 micrograms Hg l-1 added as InHg and MeHg, respectively. The detection limits for InHg and MeHg were 0.6 and 0.2 microgram Hg l-1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for eleven independent measurements were 5% for both mercury species. Recovery values ranging from 98 to 106% for InHg and from 95 to 105% for MeHg and from 93 to 95% for ethylmercury (EtHg) were obtained. The accuracy of the proposed method was also established by the analysis of certified whole blood samples for InHg and MeHg. No difference between the sum of these two species determined by our procedure and the recommended total mercury concentrations in the certified samples was observed. Results for the determination of MeHg and InHg in 30 controls and 30 dentists are presented to illustrate the practical utility of the proposed method.     

Speciation analysis of mercury by solid-phase microextraction and multicapillary gas chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry

This paper reports the development of an analytical approach for speciation analysis of mercury at ultra-trace levels on the basis of solid-phase microextraction and multicapillary gas chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Headspace solid-phase microextraction with a carboxen/polydimethylsyloxane fiber is used for extraction/preconcentration of mercury species after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and subsequent volatilization. Isothermal separation of methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (Hg2+) and propylmercury (PrHg) used as internal standard is achieved within a chromatographic run below 45 s without the introduction of spectral skew. Method detection limits (3 x standard deviation criteria) calculated for 10 successive injections of the analytical reagent blank are 0.027 pg g(-1) (as metal) for MeHg and 0.27 pg g(-1) for Hg2+. The repeatability (R.S.D., %) is 3.3% for MeHg and 3.8% for Hg2+ for 10 successive injections of a standard mixture of 10pg. The method accuracy for MeHg and total mercury is validated through the analysis of marine and estuarine sediment reference materials. A comparison of the sediment data with those obtained by a purge-and-trap injection (PTI) method is also addressed. The analytical procedure is illustrated with some results for the ultra-trace level analysis of ice from Antarctica for which the accuracy is assessed by spike recovery experiments.     

Synthesis and metal-ion binding properties of monoazathiacrown ethers

Synthetic procedures for monoazathiacrown ethers were explored, and monoazatrithia-12-crown-4, monoazatetrathia-15-crown-5, and monoazapentathia-18-crown-6 were obtained in moderate yields by the reaction of bis(2-chloroethyl)amine with the appropriate dithiols in the presence of lithium hydroxide in THF. To evaluate metal-ion binding properties of the monoazathiacrown ethers by solvent extraction, lipophilic dodecyl and dodecanoyl groups were incorporated onto the monoazathiacrown ethers. The solvent extraction experiments suggested that monoazathiacrown ethers have Ag(+) and Hg(2+) selectivities and that the relative selectivity between Ag(+) and Hg(2+) depends on their nitrogen atom properties and numbers of sulfur atoms reflecting the respective affinities of nitrogen and sulfur atoms to Hg(2+) and Ag(+). An interesting ability to bind Mg(2+) was observed in the case of N-dodecyl monoazatrithia-12-crown-4.     

Dissecting the effect of anions on Hg2+ detection using a FRET based DNA probe

Many biosensors have been developed to detect Hg(2+) using thymine-rich DNA. While sensor response to various cations is often studied to demonstrate selectivity, the effect of anions has been largely overlooked. Anions may compete with DNA for metal binding and thus produce a false negative result. Anions cannot be added alone; the cation part of a salt may cause DNA compaction and other effects, obscuring the role of anions. We find that the sensitivity of a FRET-based Hg(2+) probe is independent of Na(+) concentration. Therefore, by using various sodium salts, any change in sensitivity can be attributed solely to the effect of anions. Halide salts, sulfides, and amines are strong inhibitors; anions containing oxo or hydroxyl groups (e.g. nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, carbonate, acetate, and citrate) do not interfere with Hg(2+) detection even at 100 mM concentration. Mercury hydrolysis and its diffusion into polypropylene containers can also strongly affect the detection results. We conclude that thymine-rich DNA should be useful for Hg(2+) detection in many environmental water samples.     

Factors affecting the solid-state structure and dimensionality of mercury cyanide/chloride double salts, and NMR characterization of coordination geometries

In the reaction of organic monocationic chlorides or coordinatively saturated metal-ligand complex chlorides with linear, neutral Hg(CN)(2) building blocks, the Lewis-acidic Hg(CN)(2) moieties accept the chloride ligands to form mercury cyanide/chloride double salt anions that in several cases form infinite 1-D and 2-D arrays. Thus, [PPN][Hg(CN)(2)Cl].H(2)O (1), [(n)Bu(4)N][Hg(CN)(2)Cl].0.5 H(2)O (2), and [Ni(terpy)(2)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2) (4) contain [Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2)(2-) anionic dimers ([PPN]Cl = bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium chloride, [(n)Bu(4)N]Cl = tetrabutylammonium chloride, terpy = 2,2':6',6' '-terpyridine). [Cu(en)(2)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl](2) (5) is composed of alternating 1-D chloride-bridged [Hg(CN)(2)Cl](n)(n-) ladders and cationic columns of [Cu(en)(2)](2+) (en = ethylenediamine). When [Co(en)(3)]Cl(3) is reacted with 3 equiv of Hg(CN)(2), 1-D [[Hg(CN)(2)](2)Cl](n)(n-) ribbons and [Hg(CN)(2)Cl(2)](2-) moieties are formed; both form hydrogen bonds to [Co(en)(3)](3+) cations, yielding [Co(en)(3)][Hg(CN)(2)Cl(2)][[Hg(CN)(2)](2)Cl] (6). In [Co(NH(3))(6)](2)[Hg(CN)(2)](5)Cl(6).2H(2)O (7), [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+) cations and water molecules are sandwiched between chloride-bridged 2-D anionic [[Hg(CN)(2)](5)Cl(6)](n)(6n-) layers, which contain square cavities. The presence (or absence), number, and profile of hydrogen bond donor sites of the transition metal amine ligands were observed to strongly influence the structural motif and dimensionality adopted by the anionic double salt complex anions, while cation shape and cation charge had little effect. (199)Hg chemical shift tensors and (1)J((13)C,(199)Hg) values measured in selected compounds reveal that the NMR properties are dominated by the Hg(CN)(2) moiety, with little influence from the chloride bonding characteristics. delta(iso)((13)CN) values in the isolated dimers are remarkably sensitive to the local geometry.