A pyrene-based optical probe capable of molecular computation using chemical input strings

Abstract

A pyrene-based optical probe for the real-time and regenerative detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ at parts-per-million (ppm) levels is demonstrated. Moreover, the quantifiable changes in the fluorescence signal induced by chemical inputs viz. Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, H⁺ and CN⁻ have been exploited to assemble sequential and “four-input” combinatorial molecular logic circuits. A unique “two-way” security lock has also been devised for enhanced information protection at the molecular level.