Optical Sensing Technique for Detecting Chiral Alcohols with Isotopic Substitution

OVERVIEW

This Georgetown University invention is a reaction-based chiroptical sensing assay that can detect both the concentration and one or both of the absolute configuration of the chiral alcohol in the sample and enantiomeric purity of various chiral alcohols (alpha, beta, theta, gamma) including those with various stereocenters or by the nature of isotopic substitution. This innovation replaces the need for time-consuming sample work-up and one-at-a-time sample processing. This method increases sample preparation speed, and sample processing, and reduces chemical waste.

BACKGROUND

The technique outperforms the current practice of using alcohol moiety to bind to the sensor. This new method allows for enantio-differentiation for challenging and very specific targets exhibiting remote stereocenters or cryptochirality. The kit offers advantages compared to the current methods as it does not require sample work-up and thus increases production speed. With the recent development of UV/CD plate readers for commercial applications, this innovation sets the groundwork for future advancements in high-throughput compound screening.

Benefit

• Provides a practical reaction-based chiroptical sensing assay that allows simultaneous determination of the concentration and enantiomeric purity of an unprecedented range of chiral alcohols
• Eliminates the common need for chromatographic work-up and outperforms traditional workflows with superior speed while reducing workload and chemical waste production.
• The technique is optimal over the current practice of using alcohol moiety to bind to the sensor. This is more conducive to detecting challenging targets.

Market Application

• Due to the commercial use of UV/CD plate readers, this invention could be used in the pharmaceutical industry as there is a need for high-throughput chiral compound detection
• Efficient chiral compound screening is a global need and this innovation will pave the way for high-throughput screening.

Publications

Provisional patent application filed