Novel Hg2+-imprinted polymers based on thymine-Hg2+-thymine interaction for highly selective preconcentration of Hg2+ in water samples

► Novel functional monomer T-IPTS tailor-made for Hg2+ was designed and synthesized. ► Hg2+ imprinted polymers, Hg-IIP-T, was prepared based on T-Hg2+-T interaction. ► Hg-IIP-T shows excellent selectivity towards Hg2+. ► Potential applications: preconcentration and/or removal of Hg2+ from polluted water.