Binding of HgCl 2 by tripodal ligands controlled by AgPF 6 : receptors for the PF 6 - 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 AgPF 6 , mercury can be removed and supramolecular complexes of the PF 6 - anion are formed.