Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries for the Development of Synthetic Receptors and Sensors

Abstract

Dynamic combinatorial libraries are mixtures of compounds that continuously interchange their subunits, resulting in a thermodynamically controlled product distribution. Such mixtures are responsive to their environment. Thus, introducing a guest or analyte into a mixture of potential receptors will result in a change in the product distribution in response to molecular recognition events. One way of utilizing this response is for the discovery of new synthetic receptors. We show several examples where new receptors have been identified from the increase in their concentration in the dynamic mixture after introducing a guest. Alternatively, rather than focusing on one particular species in the complex mixture, the response of the entire library can be used as a reporter on the nature of the guest. We show how libraries made from building blocks that are UV-Vis or fluorescently active can act as sensors. When analyzed with chemometrics methods, sensor DCLs can give remarkable results.