Main researchers: Pablo Gaviña Costero and Ramón Martínez Mañez
Team members

• Sensors and molecular probes for the recognition of electro-chemical or chrome-fluorogenic of anions, cations and our species of interest

Since its origin, the IQMA has been working in the development of what is called chemical molecular sensors (molecular probes) in where the recognition process is attached to a signalling process. This behaviour is obtained through the introduction in the linking (or reactive site) of molecular transducer units, capable of transmitting information of the molecular process of recognition through a change in its physical proprieties (for example, optical or electrochemical). This is a relatively new field and of a increasingly flourishing within the field of supra molecular filed.

This research line tries to develop new chemical probes of a molecular base. As it has been commented, these works have elements of basic Research, although some recent results have been protected with patents due to its potential applicability as sensor systems for determining chemical species of environmental interest (for instance mercury, cyanide, etc.) and/or biologic (for instance, cysteine, ATP, etc.).

Among the potentialities of this line, there is the development of molecular probes for the fast and easy detection through colorimetric methods of explosive, medicines and agents employed in attacks with chemical warfare.

In relation to the electrochemical molecular probes, the IQMA began working basically with the use of ferrocene as indicator mark of coordinating events. Carrying out the preparation and characterisation of compounds and the study of how the coordination affects the potential of oxidation in the redox-active group signaler.

Additionally, the use of ferrocene as a signalling unit has also been worked on optics signalling through the study of coordinating-fluorescent and colorimeter systems which present a huge advantage to the possible development of chemical for the detection of interesting species. Within this field, the IQMA was one of the first European groups to start a wide research mission and has managed to be a national and international reference in this field.

• New sensor materials (a nano-supramolecular approximation)

Work has also been carried out in the designing of new colorimetic-fluorimetic recognition protocols using nanoscopic solids in collaboration with supramolecular chemistry concepts with the aim of increasing the selectivity and applicability of design systems. These sensor systems are formed by biomimetic cavities (in some way they remind us of biologic enzymes and proteins) which will be obtained through an adequate functioning, with several organic groups on certain prearranged mesoporous solids. These hybrid sensor materials present synergistic events which rise to new selectivity which are impossible to find within the same sensors when in solution.

These work can be carried out thanks to the fact that in IDM we find exceptional staff for the synthesis of new meso/micro porous inorganic materials. From a basic point of view, some aspects related to porous materials such as size, form and system regularity control are key aspects to modulate in order to go from potential uses to real applications. Scientific and technologic interest on porous solids is due to their capacity to interact with atoms, ions and molecules using the material’s whole porous mass.

This Research shows that the combination of coordinate molecules in surfaces (hybrid systems) gives rise to advanced functional cooperative supramolecular behaviours such as processes of chemical amplification, which are hardly observable and/or reachable in analogue molecular systems (1D systems). This chemical amplification can be seen in hybrid systems were the superficial molecular prearrangement increases the efficiency of the chromo-fluorgenic coordination and recognition processes. On a separate issue, the key’s leap to more complex functional systems is related to dimensionality. Hence, the anchorage of specific molecular entities not on plain surfaces (2D systems) but on 3D nanoscopic architectures (such as a mesorporous) brings the opportunity of developing and exploring new supramolecular functional concepts such as the development and use of bio-mimetic hybrid materials applied to the development of new chromo-fluorgenic recognition protocols. Within this area, kwon tools are used (organic synthesis, inorganic, anchoring processes, self-assembling supramolecular processes, nanoscopic ideas, etc.) to build organic-inorganic hybrid materials and study, understand and design new functional supramolecular cooperative processes in relation to the development of molecular chemical sensors.