Supramolecular-based Fluorescent Sensors and Surfactants

超分子化学，或“分子之外的化学”，涉及由两个或多个分子组成的结构，这些分子通过弱引力而不是化学键结合在一起。超分子系统的一个简单例子是主-客包合复合物，其中客分子被包含在一个更大的笼状有机宿主分子的腔中（就像桶里的球）。最常见的宿主分子家族是环糊精（CDs），这是葡萄糖的环状形式，在水中呈桶状，并在其内部腔内强烈结合客体分子。在我的研究小组之前成功的基于荧光的主客包合体系基本特性研究的基础上，本提案支持的变革性研究涉及超分子系统在两个重要领域的新应用：1)分子传感和2)用于分子传递的超分子表面活性剂和胶束。分子传感涉及特定目标分子的检测和测量，如有机环境污染物；提出了三个这样的项目。首先，将进行化学修饰cd的合理设计，以获得具有靶向结合特性的宿主，作为感兴趣的特定客体的传感器。其次，将探索非水溶液中荧光信号增强的潜力，以将基于超分子的传感器的使用扩展到水溶液之外。本研究的这一部分将包括对非水介质中发生的主客体包合现象的基础研究。第三，探索两种独特形状的荧光宿主作为荧光传感器的潜在应用。在分子传递中，一个特定的感兴趣的分子，如药物，被包裹或附着在一个分子系统上，运输到感兴趣的区域，如肿瘤，并释放以作用于目标区域。提出了一个特定的分子递送项目，涉及设计和合成超分子主客体表面活性剂，它可以形成胶束或囊泡，这是一种可以结合药物分子的大细胞样分子结构，并且可以触发破坏以在目标位点释放药物。因此，该项目涉及基础研究和针对性应用研究的平衡结合

Supramolecular chemistry, or "chemistry beyond the molecule", involves structures consisting of two or more molecules held together by weak forces of attraction as opposed to chemical bonds. A simple example of a supramolecular system is a host-guest inclusion complex, in which a guest molecule becomes included within the cavity of a larger, cage-like organic host molecule (like a ball in a bucket). The most common family of host molecules are the cyclodextrins (CDs), cyclic forms of glucose sugar that take on a bucket-like shape in water, and strongly bind guest molecules inside their internal cavities. Building upon the previous success in my research group involving fluorescence-based investigations of the fundamental properties of host-guest inclusion systems, the transformative research to be supported by this proposal involves the novel application of such supramolecular systems in two important areas: 1) molecular sensing and 2) supramolecular surfactants and micelles for molecular delivery. Molecular sensing involves the detection and measurement of specific target molecules, such as organic environmental pollutants; three such projects are proposed. First, the rational design of chemically modified CDs will be undertaken to obtain hosts with targeted binding properties, to serve as sensors for specific guests of interest. Second, the potential for fluorescent signal enhancement in non-aqueous solutions will be explored, to extend the use of supramolecular-based sensors beyond water solutions. This part of the study will include fundamental investigations into the currently understudied phenomena of host-guest inclusion occurring in non-aqueous media. Third, the potential application of two fluorescent, uniquely-shaped hosts as fluorescent sensors will be explored. In molecular delivery, a specific molecule of interest, such as a drug, is encapsulated or attached to a molecular system, transported to the area of interest, such as a tumor, and released to act upon the target area. A specific molecular delivery project is proposed, involving the design and synthesis of supramolecular host-guest surfactants, which can form micelles or vesicles, large cell-like molecular structures which can incorporate drug molecules, and which can be triggered to disrupt to release the drug at a target site. Thus this project involves a balanced combination of fundamental and targeted, applied research.**