This technology encompasses a series of organic
compounds for use in rapid detection of ions and small molecules.
These compounds have a previously unknown framework that
is modular and pre-organized to bind guests in its cavity. The modular nature of
the framework permits easy synthetic variation of the compound structure
and several of the regions can be varied to incorporate a specific property,
such as solubility, optimization of guest binding, or fluorescence.
The
core of the organic framework is a highly-conjugated rigid backbone that makes
the framework highly fluorescent. The framework also has limited degrees of
freedom that pre-organize the cavity for guest binding and provides several
locations for chemical diversification which can be used to adjust solubility or
tether the receptor to a solid support.
These compounds are designed such that binding or
releasing ions from the pocket causes changes in fluorescence or optical
properties, thereby creating a very sensitive sensor for ion binding or
release.
In
addition, electron withdrawing versus electron donating groups can “activate”
the fluorescent response in the presence of suitable guest molecules. This was demonstrated with acid and
bases and can be accomplished with other target analytes as
well.
These compounds also change color upon exposure to
amines. Guest molecules may include cations (such as arsenic, platinum, or
radioactive ions), neutral small molecules, or anions (such as perchlorate,
chloride, or bromide).
For
more information see Dr.
Haley's web site and Dr. Johnson's web
site
Go to the Office of Technology
Transfer