Hg²⁺-Trapping Beads: Hg²⁺-Specific Recognition through Thymine–Hg(II)–Thymine Base Pairing

Abstract

Mercury pollution poses a severe threat to human health. To remove Hg²⁺ from contaminated water, we synthesized Hg²⁺-trapping beads that include oligo-thymidine functionalities that can form thymine–Hg(II)–thymine base pairs on the solid support. The beads can selectively trap Hg²⁺ even in the presence of other metal cations. More interestingly, Hg²⁺-trapping efficiency was higher in the presence of the co-existing cations. Thus, the developed Hg²⁺-trapping beads can capture Hg²⁺ without affecting the mineral balance of water so much. The Hg²⁺-trapping beads presented here show promise for removing Hg²⁺ from environmental water.