Adaptive Chemical Systems as Sensors

• Research unit: COST
• Project number: C09.0021

Key words (English)

Chemosensors; Dynamic covalent chemistry; Metal Complexes; Systems chemistry; Adaptive systems; Biogenic amnies; Sensor

Research programs (English)

COST-Action CM0703 - Systems Chemistry

Short description (English)

Systems Chemistry is an emerging research area, in which experimental and theoretical chemists try to unravel the science of complex chemical systems. The COST action CM0703 brings together many European groups with an active interest in this field. The aim is to further develop the underlying chemistry and theory and to deliver concepts and methods for the construction of self-replicating systems, complex molecular nanostructures, and adaptive chemical networks. The objective of our work in this context is the development of novel sensors. Specifically, the following investigation will be carried out: 1) Novel molecular building blocks for the construction of dynamic colorimetric and fluorescent sensors will be designed and synthesized. 2) The adaptive behavior of the resulting sensors will be studied by various spectroscopic techniques and by numerical simulations. 3) Possible applications of the sensors will be investigated. Special attention will be directed towards the detection of biologically relevant analytes such as drugs, hormones, or peptides.

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise: EPF Lausanne Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques (ISIC) BCH-LCS

Partners and International Organizations (English)

AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GR, HU, IL, IT, LT, NL, PL, UK

Abstract (English)

Systems Chemistry is an emerging research area, in which experimental and theoretical chemists try to unravel the science of complex chemical systems. The COST action CM0703 brings together many European groups with an active interest in this field. The aim is to further develop the underlying chemistry and theory and to deliver concepts and methods for the construction of self-replicating systems, complex molecular nanostructures, and adaptive chemical networks. The objective of our work in this context is the development of novel sensors. In particular, we have designed and synthesized novel dyes which can be used for the selective detection of biogenic amines by fluorescence or UV-Vis spectroscopy. Such sensors are of importance because biogenic amines are markers for food poisoning and they have numerous physiological functions. A systems chemistry approach towards sensing was found to be particularly effective. Mixtures of amine-sensitive dyes provide a unique 'optical fingerprint' for different analytes. A pattern-based analysis of the optical sensor response allows the identification or quantification of a particular amine, or the analysis of amine mixtures.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: COST-DB of the State Secretariat for Education and Research Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland Tel. [phone] Swiss Project-Number: C09.0021