From Click Chemistry to Fluorescent Molecular Logic Gates

Authors: David Magri

Corresponding: David Magri (david.magri@um.edu.mt)

Keywords: Click chemistry, Triazole, Photoinduced electron transfer, Fluorescence, Molecular logic gates, Pourbaix sensor

Doi: 10.7423/XJENZA.2023.1.10

Issue: Xjenza Online Vol. 11 Special Issue (Top Scientists)

Abstract:
The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the inventions of click chemistry and biorthogonal chemistry, which culminated from trans-disciplinary research in the areas of organic synthesis, fluorescence imaging and chemical biology. In this mini-review, the inventions of the Pourbaix sensor and the Lab-on-a-Molecule, both examples of purposely designed and synthesised functional molecules with fluorescence properties, are discussed. These intelligent molecules operate on the premise of a competitive tension between non-radiative photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and radiative fluorescence. Redox, acid-base and ion-binding equilibrium modulate the states of these molecular devices. Potential applications of these inventions in corrosion detection, cell imaging and health diagnostics for the benefit of society are presented.

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