Uracil-bearing poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline): Hg(ii)-selective control of its thermoresponsiveness.

A poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)-containing mercury ion (Hg)-responsive uracil moiety (U-PiPOx-U) was synthesized and it exhibited thermoresponsiveness in its aqueous solution. The changes in the UV-Vis absorption and thermoresponsiveness of U-PiPOx-U upon the addition of Hg were studied. Selective sensing of Hg was also investigated.