Photo- and Electrochemical Dual-Responsive Iridium Probe for Saccharide Detection

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Dual detection systems are crucial for rapid and accurate data acquisition in sensing and in vitro diagnostics.
• Developing sensitive probes for monosaccharide detection is vital for various biological and medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Iridium(III) complex with a boronic acid receptor for dual photo- and electrochemical detection of monosaccharides.
• To evaluate the probe's sensitivity, selectivity, and applicability in aqueous solutions, hydrogel matrices, and biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of an Iridium(III) complex featuring a boronic acid moiety on a 2-phenylpyridine ligand.
• Photoluminescence and electrochemiluminescence measurements to assess the complex's response to monosaccharide binding.
• Integration of the complex into hydrogel matrices and testing in cancer cells.

Main Results:

• The Iridium(III) complex exhibited orange luminescence (618 nm) that decreased by 70% and 40% upon binding with fructose and glucose, respectively.
• The complex's electro-chemiluminescent signal also demonstrated a direct response to monosaccharide binding.
• The probe maintained its sensing capabilities when incorporated into hydrogel matrices and showed responsiveness to monosaccharides within cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed Iridium(III) complex serves as an effective dual-signal probe for sensitive monosaccharide detection in aqueous solutions.
• The probe's successful integration into hydrogel matrices and its responsiveness in cancer cells highlight its potential for device development and in vivo applications.
• This non-toxic, user-friendly probe offers a promising tool for monitoring sugar binding across relevant physiological conditions.