A redox-activated fluorescence switch based on a ferrocene-fluorophore-boronic ester conjugate

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing
• Molecular Logic Systems

Background:

• Boronic ester sensors are crucial for detecting various analytes.
• Ferrocene and naphthalimide are effective redox and fluorophore units, respectively.
• Developing molecular logic gates enhances sensor capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel electrochemically and fluorescence active boronic ester sensor.
• To investigate the sensor's response to specific ions and molecules.
• To demonstrate the implementation of an INHIBIT logic gate using the sensor system.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a boronic ester molecule incorporating ferrocene and naphthalimide.
• Electrochemical characterization of the sensor molecule.
• Fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor changes upon analyte addition.
• Evaluation of the sensor's performance in detecting Fe(3+), sodium L-ascorbate, and F(-) ions.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor molecule exhibits both electrochemical and fluorescence activity.
• A distinct INHIBIT logic behavior was observed in the presence of Fe(3+), sodium L-ascorbate, and F(-) ions.
• Indirect fluorescence quenching was identified as the mechanism for signal transduction.

Conclusions:

• A novel sensor molecule capable of electrochemical and fluorescence detection has been successfully created.
• The sensor effectively functions as an INHIBIT logic gate, responding to a specific combination of analytes.
• This work contributes to the advancement of sophisticated molecular sensing and logic systems.