Utilization of 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine to detect toxic benzene metabolites

The tridentate ligand 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine has the ability to detect toxic benzene metabolites such as phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol and p-benzoquinone by simple techniques like UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The formation of a stable supramolecular complex between 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine and hydroquinone was confirmed by X-ray analysis.