[GRAPHICS]Practical materials are needed to expedite the detection and screening of heavy metals. This Letter describes the synthesis of a new phosphorodithioate-based ligand 1 that specifically communicates a color change when exposed to mercuric ion, The origin of this recognition arises through a charge transfer and solubility change. This ligand now extends a new means to visually screen and spectroscopically quantify mercuric ion.
[GRAPHICS]Practical materials are needed to expedite the detection and screening of heavy metals. This Letter describes the synthesis of a new phosphorodithioate-based ligand 1 that specifically communicates a color change when exposed to mercuric ion, The origin of this recognition arises through a charge transfer and solubility change. This ligand now extends a new means to visually screen and spectroscopically quantify mercuric ion.