Highly sensitive and selective mercury sensor based on mismatched base pairing with dioxT

Abstract

A highly selective and sensitive sensor for mercury was designed based on a new fluorescent nucleobase, ^dioxT. Its metal-sensing ability was investigated using mismatched ^dioxT-T and ^dioxT-C base pairing. The sensor exhibited a high sensitivity (quenching efficiency, 80%, 1 : 1 binding mode) and selectivity upon the addition of mercury ions.