Patent ID: 8431406

Claim:
A method of detecting Hg 2+ ion, the method comprising: contacting a compound comprising a terpyridine moiety with a sample to be tested for the presence of Hg 2+ under a condition such that, if Hg 2+ ions are present in the sample, at least some of Hg 2+ ions present will bind with the terpyridine moiety; and detecting a colorimetric change of the sample resulting from the binding of Hg 2+ ions, if present, with the terpyridine moiety, wherein the compound is a polymer and the terpyridine moiety is pendent to a monomeric component of the polymer, and wherein the colorimetric change is detectable in the presence of one or more ions selected from the group consisting of Ag + , Ba 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Zn 2+ and provides a limit of detection of 2 ppb Hg 2+ at 557 nm, wherein the polymer comprises a backbone selected from the group consisting of a poly(alkylene oxide) backbone, a poly(alkylene) backbone and a poly(methylmethacrylate) backbone.