Consolidating Molecular Logic with New Solid-Bound YES and PASS 1 Gates and Their Combinations

Area of Science:

• Molecular logic systems
• Fluorescent probes
• Materials science

Background:

• Development of responsive molecular systems is crucial for advanced diagnostics and sensing.
• Fluorophore-based molecular logic gates offer tunable optical outputs for signal transduction.
• Particle-based platforms provide a versatile scaffold for immobilizing and detecting molecular interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement proton-driven (YES and PASS 1) molecular logic tags.
• To utilize anthracene and 4-aminonaphthalimide fluorophores for blue and green emission, respectively.
• To demonstrate the application of these tags on functionalized polymer and silica particles.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of molecular logic gates incorporating anthracene and 4-aminonaphthalimide.
• Immobilization of logic tags onto amino-terminated polyethylene glycol-polystyrene and aminopropyl silica particles.
• Characterization of the optical response of the tagged particles under varying pH conditions.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of proton-driven YES and PASS 1 molecular logic operations.
• Distinct blue and green fluorescence emissions observed for the respective fluorophores.
• Demonstration of a combined (YES+PASS 1) logic tag with distinguishable color output.
• Successful tagging of both polymer and silica particle surfaces.

Conclusions:

• Proton-responsive molecular logic tags can be effectively constructed using anthracene and 4-aminonaphthalimide fluorophores.
• These tags, when immobilized on particles, provide a robust platform for colorimetric sensing.
• The developed logic system offers a versatile tool for applications requiring pH-dependent optical signaling.