Issue 39, 2023

Novel pyrene-calix[4]arene derivatives as highly sensitive sensors for nucleotides, DNA and RNA

Abstract

Covalent functionalization of a calix[4]arene with one or two pyrene arms at one rim and two imidazoles at the opposite rim of the macrocyclic basket, yields fluorescent conjugates characterized by intramolecular pyrene-calixarene exciplex emission of a mono-pyrene conjugate, whereas the bis-pyrene derivative exhibits pyrene excimer fluorescence. The pyrene emission in these novel compounds is shown to be sensitive to non-covalent interactions with both mono- and polynucleotides. Pyrene-calixarene conjugates, acting as host molecules, strongly interact with nucleotides, as monitored by moderate emission quenching, reaching 0.1 μM affinities, comparable to some of the most effective supramolecular sensors for nucleotides. These compounds are efficiently inserted into ds-DNA/RNA grooves, with a high, 0.1–1 μM affinity, not influencing significantly any of the ds-polynucleotide native properties, whereby complete emission quenching allows the detection of DNA at nM concentration.

Graphical abstract: Novel pyrene-calix[4]arene derivatives as highly sensitive sensors for nucleotides, DNA and RNA

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
21 aug 2023
Accepted
07 sep 2023
First published
13 sep 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2023,13, 27423-27433

Novel pyrene-calix[4]arene derivatives as highly sensitive sensors for nucleotides, DNA and RNA

I. Nikšić-Franjić, B. Colasson, O. Reinaud, A. Višnjevac, I. Piantanida and D. Pavlović Saftić, RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 27423 DOI: 10.1039/D3RA05696A

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