Optical Detection of Mercury(II) in Aqueous Solutions by Using Conjugated Polymers and Label‐Free Oligonucleotides

A conjugated-polymer-based “mix-and-detect” optical sensor for mercury ions is fabricated by using a water-soluble poly[3-(3′-N,N,N-triethylamino-1′-propyloxy)-4-methyl-2,5-thiophene hydrochloride] (PMNT) and a label-free, mercury-specific oligonucleotide (MSO) probe. PMNT binds to the Hg2+-free MSO and the Hg2+–MSO complex in different ways, and exhibits distinguishable and specific optical responses to the target-induced conformation change. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2007/c2578_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.