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Thiophene-Based Molecular Sensors Towards The Selective Detection Of Mercury(Ii) And Other Metals, Austin Kazuo Shigemoto

Dissertations and Theses

This work describes several thiophene-based molecular sensors and various modifications aimed to improve and understand the photophysical and supramolecular properties, such as the association constant (K_a) and selectivity, towards the development of a selective mercury(II) sensor. From the first generation of sensors containing pyridine and thiophene groups, it was determined that thiophene can offer good selectivity for mercury(II) against other transition metal ions, and provide a ratiometric absorption and fluorescent response. The projects following this focused on improving the K_a of the first generation of sensors through several different strategies. Substitution of thiophene for dibenzothiophene was …