Heavy Metal Binding Compounds and Their Method of Use

A kit for detecting metal ions in a sample, wherein the kit comprises a compound having the formula:

• wherein
• RX is —CH2CO2R;
• RY is —CH2CO2R;
• RX′ is —CH2CO2R;
• wherein R is H, a salt ion or —CH2OC(O)(CH2)—CH3 and n is 0 to 6;
• R1 is hydrogen;
• R2 is hydrogen;
• R3 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, amino, substituted amino, alkylamino, substituted alkylamino, aldehyde, carboxyl, azido, nitro, nitroso, cyano, thioether, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, reporter molecule, reactive group, carrier molecule or solid support;
• R4 is hydrogen;
• R5 is hydrogen;
• R6 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, amino, substituted amino, alkylamino, substituted alkylamino, aldehyde, carboxyl, azido, nitro, nitroso, cyano, thioether, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, reporter molecule, reactive group, carrier molecule or solid support;
• R7 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, amino, substituted amino, alkylamino, substituted alkylamino, aldehyde, carboxyl, azido, nitro, nitroso, cyano, thioether, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, reporter molecule, reactive group, carrier molecule or solid support;
• R8 is hydrogen;
• R9 is hydrogen;
• R10 is hydrogen;
• R11 is hydrogen;
• and
• R12 is hydrogen.