G-quadruplex-based logic gates for HgII and AgI ions employing a luminescent iridium(III) complex and extension of metal-mediated base pairs by polymerase

We report herein the synthesis of a series of cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes as luminescent G-quadruplex-selective probes, which were used to construct AND, OR and INHIBIT logic gates for the detection of HgII and AgI ions. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the C–AgI–T mismatched base pair has been used for the construction of luminescent assays or logic gates.