Sensor molecule : UK patent application publication

Abstract

A method of measuring the acidity and redox potential of a sample comprising: a) contacting a compound according to the formula Acc(-L 1 -).Fluo(-L2 -)bRedox (formula A) with a sample, where Ace is a proton acceptor moiety, Fluo is a fluorophore, Redox is a red ox unit, each L 1 is a first spacer group which is bonded to Ace and Fluo, each L 2 is a second spacer group which is bonded to Fluo and Redox, a is 1 or 2, and bis 1 or 2; and b) exposing the sample to a light source, measuring fluorescence and thereby determining the acidity and redox potential of the sample. Also claimed are compounds according to Formula (A). A preferred redox unit is a ferrocene. A preferred fluorophore is

naphthalimide. A preferred proton acceptor is an amine, especially piperazine. A preferred compound is N- ferrocenyl-4-methylpiperazine-1,8-naphthalimide. Compounds according to the invention are modular receptor- spacer-fluorophore-spacer-redox molecules, and are capable of acting as

molecular AND logic gates.