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Folded short azapeptide for conformation switching-based fluorescence sensing.
Yuan Yuan1, Xiao-Sheng Yan, Xiao-Rui Li
1Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation and iChEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China. lizhao@xmu.edu.cn ybjiang@xmu.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|November 24, 2017
Summary
We developed a new fluorescence sensing method using folded dipeptide-based amidothioureas (azapeptides). This sensor shows a distinct color change upon binding with anions, enabling sensitive detection.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Chemical Sensing
- Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Background:
- Dipeptide-based amidothioureas (azapeptides) can form stable β-turn structures.
- Fluorescence sensing offers high sensitivity and selectivity for analyte detection.
- Conformation switching mechanisms are crucial for developing advanced sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel dipeptide-based amidothioureas for fluorescence sensing.
- To investigate the conformation switching behavior of these molecules upon anion binding.
- To establish a ratiometric fluorescence sensing scheme for anions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of dipeptide-based amidothioureas with specific electron donor/acceptor or fluorophore functionalities.
- Spectroscopic characterization (UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence emission) of the azapeptides.
- Anion binding studies and analysis of fluorescence response (ratiometric changes).
Main Results:
- The synthesized azapeptides exhibit enhanced exciplex or excimer emission due to the folded β-turn structure.
- Anion binding induces a conformational change, leading to an extended structure.
- A dramatic ratiometric fluorescence response was observed upon anion binding to the thiourea moiety.
Conclusions:
- A novel conformation switching-based fluorescence sensing scheme using azapeptides has been successfully developed.
- The folded β-turn structure and subsequent conformational change upon anion binding are key to the sensing mechanism.
- This approach provides a sensitive and selective method for ratiometric anion detection.
