Characterization of interacting ferrocene-cyclodextrin systems and their role in mediated biosensors

Inclusion complexes of 1,1'-dimethylferrocene (DMFe) with alpha-, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta- or gamma-cyclodextrins were formed in aqueous systems. For the first time, the interacting DMFe-cyclodextrin systems have been characterized using cyclic voltammetry which enabled the estimation of the complexation order, the formation constant and the diffusivity. Cyclic voltammetry was performed at a stationary electrode, yielding complexation ratios of 1:2 for DMFe with alpha-cyclodextrin and 1:1 with the other two cyclodextrins, as expected from the known cavity dimensions for the cyclodextrins. Formation constants of 4.4 x 10(4) M-2, 1.2 x 10(3) M-1 and 2.9 x 10(2) M-1 were then determined for the complexes between DMFe and the alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins, respectively, in relative agreement with the literature. The maximum complexation efficiency, diffusivity and solubility were observed for the DMFe:2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex, which, combined with cost factors, resulted in the selection of this form for bioelectrocatalysis studies. The efficiency of the complex as a mediator for the glucose:glucose oxidase system was determined by measuring the rate constant (ks) for reaction of the oxidized DMFe with the reduced enzyme. The ks value decreased from 3.4 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 to 1.9 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 with an increase in 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin concentration from 4 mM to 10 mM. In this range, the ks value is similar to that of free ferrocene, implying a high efficiency of the DMFe:2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.