Discovery of a sensitive Cu(II)-cyanide "off-on" sensor based on new C-glycosyl triazolyl bis-amino acid scaffold

Org Biomol Chem. 2012 Jan 21;10(3):555-60. doi: 10.1039/c1ob06242e. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

A new functional glycosyl peptidomimetic, featuring a C-glucosyl 1,4-dimethoxynaphthalene backbone in conjugation with two triazolyl phenylalanine moieties on its adjacent C3,4-positions, was readily synthesized via click chemistry. Primary optical measurements indicated that the fluorescence of the ester form of this probe (4) could be selectively quenched by Pb(2+). In contrast, the fluorescence intensity of its analog 5 with released carboxylic groups was uniquely diminished by Cu(2+) with remarkably enhanced sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, subsequent addition of cyanide to the methanol solution of the resulting Cu(2+)-5 complex induced its fluorescence recovery with a nanomolar detection limit, which was two orders of magnitude smaller than the regulated concentration limit of CN(-) in drinking water. This suggests the promising applicability of C-glycosyl bis-triazolyl amino acid scaffold in the future design and exploration of sensitive "off-on" Cu(II)-cyanide chemosensors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / instrumentation*
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Cyanides / analysis*
  • Cyanides / chemistry*
  • Glycosylation
  • Limit of Detection
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Triazoles / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Cyanides
  • Triazoles
  • Copper