Crystal Structure of the Mixed‐Valent Basic Mercury Nitrate HgI2(NO3)2·HgII(OH)(NO3)·HgII(NO3)2·4HgIIO [= Hg8O4(OH)(NO3)5]

Light‐yellow single crystals of the mixed‐valent mercury‐rich basic nitrate Hg₈O₄(OH)(NO₃)₅ were obtained as a by‐product at 85 °C from a melt consisting of stoichiometric amounts of (Hg^I₂)(NO₃)₂·2H₂O and Hg^II(OH)(NO₃). The title compound, represented by the more detailed formula Hg^I₂(NO₃)₂·Hg^II(OH)(NO₃)·Hg^II(NO₃)₂·4Hg^IIO, exhibits a new structure type (monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, a = 6.7708(7), b = 11.6692(11), c = 24.492(2) Å, β = 96.851(2)°, 2920 structure factors, 178 parameters, R1[F² > 2σ(F²)] = 0.0316) and is made up of almost linear [O‐Hg^II‐O] and [O‐Hg^I‐Hg^I‐O] building blocks with typical Hg^II‐O distances around 2.06Å and a Hg^I‐O distance of 2.13Å. The Hg₂²⁺ dumbbell exhibits a characteristic Hg‐Hg distance of 2.5079(7) Å. The different types of mercury‐oxygen units form a complex three‐dimensional network exhibiting large cavities which are occupied by the nitrate groups. The NO₃^? anions show only weak interactions between the nitrate oxygen atoms and the mercury atoms which are at distances > 2.6Å from one another. One of the three crystallographically independent nitrate groups is disordered.     

Solid Substrate Room Temperature Phosphorimetry for the Determination of Trace Mercury Based on the Reaction between Alkaline Phosphatase and Mercury Using Triton X-100 as a Sensitizer

A new solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for the determination of trace mercury has been established, using Triton X‐100 as a sensitizer. The regression equation of working curve was ΔI_p=11.40m(Hg²⁺)+1.569 (ag·spot^?1, n=6, ΔI_p=I_p1?I_p2, I_p1 and I_p2 referred to the phosphorescence intensity of the blank reagent and the test solution, respectively), and correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9984. The RSD valus of the determination of 0.016 and 8.0 ag·spot^?1 Hg²⁺ were 4.1% and 1.7% (n=8), respectively, indicating that the method had good repeatability. The limit of detection (LOD) calculated by 3Sb/k was 7.0 zg·spot^?1 Hg²⁺ (corresponding concentration: 1.8×10^?17 g·mL^?1, Sb=0.025, n=11). This method has high sensitivity, selectivity and precision, which was applied to determination of trace mercury in water samples with the result being agreed very well with that of dithizone extraction spectrophotometry.     

New complex of mercury(II) with Schiff base derived from A-methylcinnamaldehyde and ethylenediamine

The new mononuclear mercury(II) complex [Hg((Me-Ca)₂En)Br₂] (I), where (Me-Ca)₂En = N, N,N′-bis[(E)-2-benzylidenepropylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine, has been synthesized and characterized. The crystal and molecular structure of I was determined by X-ray crystallography from single-crystal data. The complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic system, having one symmetry-independent Hg²⁺ ion coordinated in distorted tetrahedral geometry by two N atoms of the Schiff base ligand and by two Br atoms. This structure contains intermolecular non-classical hydrogen bonds of the type C-H...Br.     

Sorption of mercury on chemically synthesized polyaniline

Summary Sorption of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methyl mercury, on chemically synthesized polyaniline, in 0.1-10N HCl solutions has been studied. Hg²⁺ is strongly sorbed at low acidities and the extent of sorption decreases with increase in acidity. The sorption of methyl mercury is very low in the HCl concentration range studied. Sorption of Hg²⁺ on polyaniline in 0.1-10N LiCl and H₂SO₄ solutions has also been studied. The analysis of the data indicates that the sorption of Hg²⁺ depends on the degree of protonation of polyaniline and the nature of mercury(II) chloride complexes in solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) of polyaniline sorbed with mercury show that mercury is bound as Hg²⁺. Sorbed mercury is quantitatively eluted from polyaniline with 0.5N HNO₃. Polyaniline can be used for separation and pre-concentration of inorganic mercury from aqueous samples.     

Preconcentration and speciation of inorganic and methyl mercury in waters using polyaniline and gold trap-CVAAS

Applicability of polyaniline (PANI) has been investigated for the preconcentration and speciation of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methyl mercury (CH₃Hg⁺) in various waters (ground, lake and sea waters). Preliminary experiments (batch) with powdered PANI for the quantitative removal of both Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ showed that the retention of Hg²⁺ was almost independent of pH while a pH dependent trend from pH 1 to 12 was seen for CH₃Hg⁺ with maximum retention at pH > 5. Time dependence batch studies showed that a contact time of 10 min was sufficient to reach equilibrium. The K_d values were found to be ∼8 × 10⁴ and ∼7 × 10³ for Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺, respectively.Subsequently column experiments were carried out with PANI and the separation of the species was carried out by selective and sequential elution with 0.3% HCl for CH₃Hg⁺ and 0.3% HCl-0.02% thiourea for Hg²⁺. This was then followed by further pre-concentration of mercury on a gold trap and its determination by CVAAS. The uptake efficiency studies showed that the PANI column was able to accumulate up to 100 mg Hg²⁺/g and 2.5 mg CH₃Hg⁺/g. This method allows both preconcentration and speciation of mercury with preconcentration factors around 120 and 60 for Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺, respectively. The interfering effects of various foreign substances on the retention of mercury were investigated.     

A ratiometric electrochemical biosensor for sensitive detection of Hg based on thymine–Hg–thymine structure

In this paper, a simple, selective and reusable electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive detection of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) has been developed based on thymine (T)-rich stem–loop (hairpin) DNA probe and a dual-signaling electrochemical ratiometric strategy. The assay strategy includes both “signal-on” and “signal-off” elements. The thiolated methylene blue (MB)-modified T-rich hairpin DNA capture probe (MB-P) firstly self-assembled on the gold electrode surface via Au–S bond. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the ferrocene (Fc)-labeled T-rich DNA probe (Fc-P) hybridized with MB-P via the Hg²⁺-mediated coordination of T–Hg²⁺–T base pairs. As a result, the hairpin MB-P was opened, the MB tags were away from the gold electrode surface and the Fc tags closed to the gold electrode surface. These conformation changes led to the decrease of the oxidation peak current of MB (I_MB), accompanied with the increase of that of Fc (I_Fc). The logarithmic value of I_Fc/I_MB is linear with the logarithm of Hg²⁺ concentration in the range from 0.5 nM to 5000 nM, and the detection limit of 0.08 nM is much lower than 10 nM (the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of Hg²⁺ in drinking water). What is more, the developed DNA-based electrochemical biosensor could be regenerated by adding cysteine and Mg²⁺. This strategy provides a simple and rapid approach for the detection of Hg²⁺, and has promising application in the detection of Hg²⁺ in real environmental samples.     

A sensitive resonance light scattering spectrometry of trace Hg with sulfur ion modified gold nanoparticles

A new resonance light scattering (RLS) spectrometric method for mercury ions (Hg²⁺) in aqueous solutions with sulfur ion (S²⁻) modified gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs-S) has been developed in this contribution. It was found that S²⁻ at the surface of Au-NPs resulting from the surface modification can interact with Hg²⁺ to form very stable S-Hg-S bonds when Hg²⁺ concentration is lower than that of S²⁻, resulting in the aggregation of Au-NPs-S and causing enhanced RLS signals. The enhanced RLS intensities (ΔI_RLS) characterized at 392 nm were found to be proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 0.025-0.25 μmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.013 μmol L⁻¹. Our results showed that this approach has excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ over other substances in aqueous solutions.     

Aptamer-modified AuRe Nanoalloy Probe for Trace Hg2+ Using Resonance Scattering as Detection Technique

The AuRe nanoalloy particles in molar ratio of 9:1 were prepared by sodium borohydride procedure, and modified by single strand DNA (ssDNA) to prepare an aptamer AuRe nanoprobe (AuRessDNA) for Hg²⁺. In the pH 7.0 Na₂HPO₄‐NaH₂PO₄ buffer solution and in the presence of NaCl, Hg²⁺ interacted with AuRessDNA to form double‐stranded T‐Hg²⁺‐T mismatched and release AuRe nanoparticles that aggregate to large AuRe nanoparticles clusters causing the resonance scattering (RS) peak red shifting and the RS intensity enhanced linearly. On those grounds, 0.067–33.3 nmol·L^?1 Hg²⁺ can be detected rapidly by the aptamer‐modified AuRe nanoparticles RS assay, with a detection limit of 0.04 nmol·L^?1 Hg²⁺. If the aggregated AuRe particles were removed by membrane filtration, the excess AuRessDNA in the filtration solution exhibits catalytic effect on the new Te particle reaction between Na₂TeO₄ and SnCl₂. As the concentration of Hg²⁺ increased, the AuRessDNA nanoparticles in the filtrate solution decreased, the RS intensity at 734 nm decreased linearly. The Hg²⁺ concentration (c) in the range of 0.00133–0.267 nmol·L^?1 was linear to the decreased RS intensity (ΔI_734nm), with a regression equation of ΔI= ?786.4c?4.4, a correlation coefficient of 0.9975, and a detection limit of 0.9 pmol·L^?1 Hg²⁺. This method was applied to the detection of Hg²⁺ in water samples, with satisfactory results.     

A New Chair‐shaped Conformation Containing HgHgOHgHgO: Synthesis and Structure of Hg4(L2)2(NO3)4 (L2 = morpholin‐4‐ylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyleneamine)

. The complex Hg₄(L²)₂(NO₃)₄ ( 1 ) (L² = morpholin‐4‐ylpyridin‐2‐ylmethyleneamine) has been synthesized and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 was determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 contains four mercury atoms, four nitrate anions (two terminal and two bridge ones) and two L² ligand molecules. A chair shape, six‐membered ring is formed with the sequence OHgHgOHgHg built from Hg–Hg dumbbells and oxygen atoms from the nitrate co‐ligands. In the crystal structure, the asymmetric unit of the compound is built up by one‐half of the molecule. It contains the Hg₂²⁺ moiety with a mercury–mercury bonded core, in which one diimine ligand is coordinated to one of the mercury atoms. The nitrate anions act as anisobidentate and bidentate ligands.     

Sampling and determination of gas phase divalent mercury in the air using a KCl coated denuder

KCl coated denuders were employed for the measurement of divalent mercury (Hg²⁺) species in the air. Laboratory tests show that gaseous Hg²⁺ can be collected by the denuder with an average efficiency of 98% and elemental Hg will pass through it freely. Hg²⁺ trapped in the denuder can be quantitatively extracted by 1 mol/L HCl and analyzed by the method of SnCl₂ reduction-CVAFS determination. Hg²⁺ concentrations of 0.04–0.15 ng m^–3 corresponding to about 2–9% of the total gaseous mercury in the ambient air were determined at several sampling locations.     

Synthesis and structures of mercury and cadmium complexes: [Ph4Sb] 2 + [Hg2I6]2−·Ph2Hg, [Ph4Sb] 2 + [E2I6]2− (E = Hg, Cd), and [Ph4Sb] 2 + [Hg4I10]2−

The reaction of pentaphenylantimony with mercury iodide affords the ionic complex [Ph₄Sb] ₂ ⁺ [Hg₂I₆]^2?·Ph₂Hg (I). The [Ph₄Sb] ₂ ⁺ [Hg₂I₆]^2? (II) and [Ph₄Sb] ₂ ⁺ [Cd₂I₆]^2? (III) complexes are synthesized from tetraphenylantimony iodide and mercury and cadmium iodides. The [Ph₄Sb] ₂ ⁺ [Hg₄I₁₀]^2? complex (IV) is prepared from tetraphenylantimony 2,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate and mercury iodide. According to the X-ray diffraction data, the Sb atom in the [Ph₄Sb]⁺ cations of complex I has virtually ideal tetrahedral coordination (the CSbC angles are 108.09°–109.64°). In the central square fragment Hg₂I₂ of the [Hg₂I₆]^2? anion, the Hg-I_br bond lengths are 2.825 and 3.075 Å, and the terminal iodine atoms are more strongly bonded to the mercury atoms (Hg-I_term 2.691 and 2.700 Å). The [Cd₂I₆]^2? anion in complex III has a similar structure (the Cd-I_bridg and Cd-I_term distances are 2.865, 2.872 and 2.723, 2.748 Å, respectively). The anions in complex IV are joined by I…Hg (3.651 Å) and I…I (4.058 Å) interactions into an infinite dimeric network.     

Phosphonium salts [Ph3AlkP] 2+ [Hg2I6]2? and [Ph3AlkP] 2+ [Hg4I10]2?: Synthesis and structure

Mercury complexes [Ph₃AlkP]₂⁺[Hg₂I₆]²⁻ and [Ph₃AlkP]₂⁺[Hg₄I₁₀]²⁻ (R = Me, Et, Pr, iso-Pr, Bu, iso-Bu) are synthesized by the reactions of triphenylalkylphosphonium Ph₃AlkPI with mercury iodide in acetone with the mole ratio 1: 1 and 1: 2, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction data, the phosphorus atom in the cations of the [Ph₃(iso-Pr)P]₂⁺[Hg₂I₆]²⁻, [Ph₃BuP]₂⁺[Hg₂I₆]²⁻, and [Ph₃(iso-Pr)P]₂⁺[Hg₄I₁₀]²⁻ complexes has a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The CPC bond angles and P-C bond lengths vary within 107.3(4)°-112.0(4)° and 1.774(8)-1.827(7) ?. In the [Hg₂I₆]²⁻ centrosymmetric binuclear anions, the mercury atoms of tetrahedral coordination lie in two near-perpendicular Hg₂I₆planes. Hg₄I₄ eight-membered cycles of the [Hg₄I₁₀]²⁻ tetranuclear anion are joined into polymeric chains through Hg … I coordination bonds (3.334, 3.681 &OA) due to which Hg atoms have a trigonal bipyramidal coordination. Original Russian Text ? V.V. Sharutin, V.S. Senchurin, N.N. Klepikov, O.K. Sharutina, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 2, pp. 267–273.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Theoretical Studies of New Mercury Iodobismuthates: (Et4N)4(Bi4Hg2I20) and (nBu4N)2(Bi2HgI10)

The first two mercury iodobismuthates, (Et₄N)₄(Bi₄Hg₂I₂₀) ( 1 ) and (nBu₄N)₂(Bi₂HgI₁₀) ( 2 ) have been synthesized by the reactions of binary BiI₃ and HgI₂ in a mixed solution of ethanol/acetone with the existence of different ammonia cations. The novel hexanuclear (Bi₄Hg₂I₂₀)^4– anion in 1 can be viewed as a dimer of the trinuclear (Bi₂HgI₁₀)^2– anion in 2 . The DFT calculations reveal that the band gaps of both compounds are determined only by the anionic moieties and therefore are similar, which agrees with the experimental measurements.     

A rhodamine-based Hg2+-selective fluorescent probe in aqueous solution

A new rhodamine-based Hg²⁺-selective fluorescent probe (I) was designed and synthesized. Compound I displays excellent selective and sensitive response to Hg²⁺ over other transition metal ions in neutral aqueous solutions. I itself is a colorless, nonfluorescent compound. Upon addition of Hg²⁺ to its solution, the thiosemicarbazide moiety of I undergoes an irreversible desulfurization reaction to form the corresponding 1,3,4-oxadiazole (II), a colorful and fluorescent product, causing instantaneous development of visible color and strong fluorescence emission. Based on this mechanism, a fluorogenic probe for Hg²⁺ was developed. The fluorescence increases linearly with the Hg²⁺ concentration up to 0.8 μmol L⁻¹ with the detection limit of 9.4 nmol L⁻ (3σ).     

Detoxification of mercury species—an in vitro study with antidotes in human whole blood

To investigate the effects of mercury species intoxication and to test the efficiency of different commonly applied antidotes, human whole blood and plasma surrogate samples were spiked with inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury (MeHg⁺, CH₃Hg⁺) prior to treatment with the antidotes 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-ol (British Anti Lewisite), 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). For mercury speciation analysis in these samples, liquid chromatography was coupled to either inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). Adduct formation between mercury species and physiological thiols (cysteine and glutathione) was observed as well as the release of glutathione under treatment with the antidotes DMSA and NAC.     

Near-infrared cell-permeable Hg2+-selective ratiometric fluorescent chemodosimeters and fast indicator paper for MeHg+ based on tricarbocyanines

Three tricarbocyanine dyes (IR‐897, IR‐877, and IR‐925) with different thiourea substituents that function as dosimeter units through specific Hg²⁺‐induced desulfurization have been demonstrated in a fast indicator paper for Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ ions. In comparison with available Hg²⁺‐selective chemodosimeters, IR‐897 and IR‐877 show several advantages, such as convenient synthesis, very long wavelengths falling in the near‐infrared (NIR) region (650–900 nm) with high molar extinction coefficients, a ratiometric response, and quite low disturbance with Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. They exhibit large redshifts, which result in a clear color change from deep blue to pea green that can be easily monitored by the naked eye for a convenient indicator paper. In emission spectra, they display a characteristic turn‐off mode at 780 nm and turn‐on mode at 830 nm with titration of Hg²⁺ ions. Remarkably, the signal/noise (S/N) ratio with other thiophilic metal ions (Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺) is greatly enhanced with ratiometric measurement of two channels: excitation spectra mode (I_{810 nm}/I_{670 nm}, monitored at 830 nm) and emission spectra mode (I_{830 nm}/I_{780 nm}, isosbestic absorption point at 730 nm as excitation). The distinct response is dependent upon the electron‐donating effect of the thiourea substituents; that is, the stronger the electron‐donating capability of the thiourea substituents, the faster the Hg²⁺‐promoted cyclization. Additionally, experiments with living SW1116 cells show that these three tricarbocyanine dyes with low toxicity can exhibit special characteristics that are favorable for visualizing intracellular Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺ ions in biological systems, including excellent membrane permeability, minimal interfering absorption and fluorescence from biological samples, low scattering, and deep penetration into tissues.     

A Terbium Metal–Organic Framework for Highly Selective and Sensitive Luminescence Sensing of Hg2+ Ions in Aqueous Solution

A series of isomorphic lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) Ln(TATAB)?(DMF)₄(H₂O)(MeOH)_0.5 (LnTATAB, Ln=Eu, Tb, Sm, Dy, Gd; H₃TATAB=4,4′,4′′‐s‐triazine‐1,3,5‐triyltri‐p‐aminobenzoic acid) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Among these MOFs, TbTATAB exhibits good water stability and a high fluorescence quantum yield. Because mercury ions (Hg²⁺) have a high affinity to nitrogen atoms, and the space between multiple nitrogen atoms from triazine and imino groups is suitable for interacting with Hg²⁺ ions, TbTATAB shows highly selective and sensitive detection of Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution with a detection limit of 4.4 nm . Furthermore, it was successfully applied to detect Hg²⁺ ions in natural water samples.     

Syntheses,Characterization, and Crystal Structures of a Dinuclear Complex and Coordination Polymer of Mercury(II) with Schiff Base Ligands containing N3 and N4 Donors

Two dinuclear mercury(II) iodide compounds, [Hg₂(L)(I)₄] ( 1 ) and [(L′)Hg(μ‐I)₂HgI₂]_n ( 2 ) [L = N,N′‐bis(phenyl(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)propane‐1,2‐diamine and L′ = N‐(phenyl(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylene)propane‐1,2‐diamine] were synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of [Hg₂(L)(I)₄] ( 1 ) and [(L′)Hg(μ‐I)₂HgI₂]_n ( 2 ), which were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, indicate that each Hg^II in 1 has a distorted tetrahedral environment around the metal atom with a HgN₂I₂ chromophore, whereas in 2 one mercury(II) atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral arrangement with a HgI₄ chromophore and the other has a distorted square pyramidal environment with HgN₃I₂ chromophore. In the solid state, compound 2 consists of a 1D coordination polymer structure.     

Electrometric Behavior of Tetraphenylboron on Mercury

Electrometric behavior of tetraphenylboron (TPB) on mercury electrode was investigated, Potentiometric titration of Hg₂⁺⁺ with TPB⁻ showed that TPB⁻ reacted with Hg₂⁺⁺ with stoichiometric ratios (equivalent) of 1:3 and 1:8 (TPB: Hg₂⁺⁺) to form diphenylmercury, Hg(C₆H₅)₂, and phenylmercuric ion, C₆H₅—Hg⁺. Only 1:3 stoichiometry was found in the reverse titration. Potential response of TPB⁻ on mercury assumed the same result, and furthermore, if the concentration of TPB⁻ was around 10⁻³ M or higher, another stoichiometry of 1:1 with formation of Hg(I)-tetraphenylborate might be possible. Controlled potential oxidation of TPB⁻ on mercury gave Hg(C₆H₅)₂ and C₆H₅Hg⁺ which were identified by m. p. measurements and elementary analyses.     

Direct colorimetric visualization of mercury (Hg) based on the formation of gold nanoparticles

It is critical to be able to detect and quantify Hg²⁺ ions under aqueous conditions with high sensitivity and selectivity. The technique presented herein provides a direct way for simple colorimetric visualization of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solution, based on the formation of gold nanoparticles through the Hg²⁺ catalyzed HAuCl₄/NH₂OH reaction. The outstanding selectivity and sensitivity result from the well-known amalgamation process that occurs between mercury and gold. The entire procedure takes less than 20 min. The limit of detection (2 ppb) shows excellent potential for monitoring ultralow levels of mercury in water samples.