Development of carbon-fluorine spectroscopy for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications

Abstract

Carbon-Fluorine Spectroscopy (CFS™), also known as Fluoro-Raman Spectroscopy (FRS™), is a relatively new patented platform technology using a family of various methods and cost-effective devices called PLIRFA™ (Pulsed Laser Isochronic Raman and Fluorescence Apparatus) developed by Fluorotronics, Inc. The key feature of this progressive and non-destructive technology is based on the discovery of a characteristic optical signature of carbon-fluorine bond(s) in the fingerprint spectral area of 500–800 cm⁻¹ allowing rapid, ultra-specific and sensitive detection, characterization, imaging, and measurement of any fluoroorganics. Interestingly, the C–F bond is unique in its character and so it can be used as a molecular label. Furthermore, the C–F label is efficient, soluble, cheaper, smaller, more stable and less toxic than fluorescent dyes, nanoparticles or quantum dot materials. Thereby, C–F bonds are often incorporated into pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biological molecules in addition to polymers and nano-materials to achieve special properties (e.g. molecular stability, molecular tracing). In this paper, we present some of our data obtained from FRS™ applied to pharmaceuticals and biologics, and provide perspectives of FRS applications for the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.