Tools and tactics for the optical detection of mercuric ion

A comprehensive account of recent progress in the design and application of optical sensors of mercury has been presented. The review includes work on cation sensing, strategies on the preparation of small molecule Hg detectors, and optical feedback including Hg-responsive biomolecules and materials. Also described are the following topics: causes and consequences of mercury pollution; which globally impacts human and environmental health; instrumental approaches that employ chromophores for mercury detection; small-molecule optical sensor development; fluorescent small-molecule Hg detectors with turn-off, turn-on and ratiometric detection; and progress on colorimetric Hg detection.