Accelerated hydration reaction of an unsymmetrical tolan evidenced by a Hg()-trapped macrocycle and its application as a Hg()-selective indicator

Hg( ii )-mediated hydration reactions of unsymmetrical quinoline type tolans were studied. The observed accelerated reactions of the tolans rely on the additional binding motifs of the tolan, as supported by the X-ray structure of the macrocycle ( 2b ). The analyte-specific reaction allows us to detect Hg( ii ) in buffered media. Hg( ii )-mediated hydration reactions of unsymmetrical quinoline type tolans were studied and further used for the detection of Hg( ii ) in buffered media.