Development of chemosensors for iron(III) and zinc(II)

Nathaniel Anthony Co Lim, University of Connecticut

Abstract

This thesis describes the development, synthesis and evaluation of chemosensors for the fluorometric detection of Fe(III) and Zn(II). A Chemosensor is a molecule which can translate the presence of a sample component into a measurable signal, here fluorescence. Part A describes the synthesis of a chemosensor assembly for the fluorescence detection of Fe(III). This sensor represents the first example of a chemosensor responding to the presence of Fe(III) with a fluorescence increase. It is shown that the mechanism of operation of this sensor is the Fe(III)-specific release of a fluorescent molecule from the non-fluorescent sensor. In due course of this work, the synthetic methodology toward hydroxamate squarate esters and amides and related compounds was developed. ^ Part B of this thesis describes the synthesis of a coumarin-based chemosensor suitable for the imaging of Zn(II) in live cells. The building block-type sensor design allowed for the synthesis of a family of chemosensors varying optical, coordination and bio-distribution properties. The sensors operate according to a chelation-enhanced fluorescence enhancement mechanism. The realization of a ratiometric sensor for zinc is also presented. This sensor allows the fluorometric determination of zinc concentration in complex biological media. ^

Subject Area

Chemistry, Analytical|Chemistry, Organic

Recommended Citation

Nathaniel Anthony Co Lim, "Development of chemosensors for iron(III) and zinc(II)" (January 1, 2004). Dissertations Collection for University of Connecticut. Paper AAI3138391.
http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/dissertations/AAI3138391