Dual optical and electrochemical saccharide detection based on a dipyrido[3,2-a:2′3′-c]phenazine (DPPZ) ligand

We report a new molecular sensor based on dipyrido[3,2-a:2′3′-c]phenazine (DPPZ) functionalized with boronic acid groups. The sensor binds to saccharides and upon binding results in changes in fluorescence intensity as well as cathodic shifts in the sensor's formal potential. The ability of the new DPPZ-based sensor to provide both electrochemical and optical signal outputs demonstrates the viability of this family of molecules to be developed as dual-signal detectors. Measurements to determine the stability constants with four saccharides are shown.