Design and synthesis of photo-induced electron transfer based fluorescent probes for pyruvate and zinc detection

The design and synthesis of fluorescent chemosensor probes based on photoinduced electron transfer is discussed. First, the design of a series of probes to detect the presence of divalent metal cations is discussed. Next, the results for an existing probe for divalent cations are examined. Computational chemistry is used to provide a possible answer to its selectivity. This method of examination suggests that the probes selectivity is due to the bonding involved in analyte coordination. Then, the design of a series of probes to detect the presence of mono-, di-, and, trivalent hydrocarbon anions is discussed. From this discussion, the synthesis of a single probe from that series as well as characterization and the spectrophotometric results from its titration with pyruvate, malate, and citrate is discussed, respectively. The probe was found to be more selective and sensitive toward pyruvate. Work is currently underway to design and synthesize other series of probes to detect this family of anion.