title: Metal ion-sensing polymer in the weak binding monomer regime.
abstract: The field of conjugated polymer-based metal ion sensing has evolved rapidly with many systems developed via fluorescence quenching mechanism. Thus far, demonstrated polymer architectures invariably entail the main-chain or side-chain incorporation of strong binding sites. We show herein that extraordinary metal ion sensing systems could be created with monomer units in the weak binding regime. Poly(thienylene phenylene) exhibits highly selective fluorescence quenching response toward an environmentally toxic species, Hg2+. Our results offer important clues for expanding the chemical space of intelligent polymer systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Xingqiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D005453:Fluorescence; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011108:Polymers; D013876:Thiophenes; C542555:poly(thienylene phenylene); D008628:Mercury