Developments in Molecular Recognition and Sensing at Interfaces

Abstract

Abstract:In biological systems, molecular recognition events occur mostly within interfacial environments such as at membrane surfaces, enzyme reaction sites, or at the interior of the DNA double helix. Investigation of molecular recognition at model interfaces provides great insights into biological phenomena. Molecular recognition at interfaces not only has relevance to biological systems but is also important for modern applications such as high sensitivity sensors. Selective binding of guest molecules in solution to host molecules located at solid surfaces is crucial for electronic or photonic detection of analyte substances. In response to these demands, molecular recognition at interfaces has been investigated extensively during the past two decades using Langmuir monolayers, selfassembled monolayers, and lipid assemblies as recognition media. In this review, advances of molecular recognition at interfaces are briefly summarized.

Supramolecular Complexes Formed by the Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Bis(Zn²⁺-cyclen) Complexes, Copper, and Di- or Triimide Units for the Hydrolysis of Phosphate Mono- and Diesters in Two-Phase Solvent Systems (Cyclen=1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane)

“…We initially expected that the inorganic phosphate would be released from the Cu 2 (μ-OH) 2 sites of hydrophobic supermolecules at the organic-water interface. However, the supermolecules used in this work may have been too hydrophobic and hence their catalytic Cu 2 (μ-OH) 2 sites are located too far from the interface (from water), 69) thus preventing an effective ex- . At the same time, hydrophobicity of supramolecular complexes is important to extract MNP to organic layer more effectively, giving more stable supermolecule-substrate complexes (smaller K m ).…”

“…We expect that product inhibition of supermolecules by inorganic phosphate may be minimized by formation and location of active sites of supermolecules at more close position to organic-water interface. 69) Therefore, design and synthesis of amphiphilic supermolecules formed from less symmetric dizinc(II) complexes, tri or di-imide units, and Cu 2+ are now in progress.…”

Biomimetic Molecular Recognition Elements for Chemical Sensing

“…It may not be surprising that in living systems, most molecular recognition events take place at interfacial environments [14]. On the basis of the biological reaction mechanisms described above, researchers have explored a number of biomimetic material designs in order to achieve effective sensor coatings.…”

“…During the past several decades, extensive research on molecular recognition at interfaces has been performed using monolayer and lipid assemblies to identify the critical surface effects to be considered in order to maintain efficiency of the selectivity elements [14]. Biological systems have optimized their molecular recognition formats over eons of selection and evolution.…”

Challenges and breakthroughs in recent research on self-assembly

“…Assembly between monolayer components and guest materials from the aqueous subphase, i.e. molecular recognition at the air-water interface [648][649][650][651][652][653], is one of the most important research topics in this field. Efficiency of molecular recognition occurring at the air-water interface is generally greatly enhanced compared to that observed in bulk aqueous solution, was and this has been demonstrated in the following examples.…”