A Fluorescent Pyrophosphate Sensor with High Selectivity over ATP in Water

Abstract

High affinity and selective detection for PPi is exhibited by a new fluorescent sensor based on a naphthalene–dpa system (see picture). The binuclear zinc complex is remarkably selective toward PPi over other anions. For example, PPi can be detected at micromolar concentrations in the presence of a large excess of ATP. PPi=pyrophosphate, ATP=adenosine triphosphate, dpa=bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine.