Binding of HgCl2 by tripodal ligands controlled by AgPF6: receptors for the PF6(-) anion

Mercuric chloride can readily enter into the biological cycle where it gets converted into other forms of mercury and causes severe neurotoxic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects; a number of tripodal ligands have been synthesized that selectively bind mercuric chloride and in the presence of AgPF6, mercury can be removed and supramolecular complexes of the PF6- anion are formed.