Overview
Topic status: In progress
Overview
A sensitive technique for monitoring free radical processes involves spin-trapping by profluorescent nitroxides. These compounds possess a fluorophore tethered by a short covalent link to a nitroxide moiety and display low fluorescence due electron exchange interactions of the nitroxide radical from the first excited singlet state to the ground state. A new approach towards profluorescent nitroxides involves using the copper-catalysed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition “Click” reaction to form a triazole linker between the fluorophore and the nitroxide moiety. This project will expand on this concept to explore the iodo-click reaction as a new method for fluorophore assembly.
Research activities
This project will involve the synthesis, purification and characterisation of important precursor molecules (iodo-alkyne and azide synthons) which can then be combined to form new iodo-containing triazoles. Subsequent modification should give new fluorescent scaffolds. Students will gain synthetic skills in organic chemistry and chromatography and instrumental experience with compound characterisation (NMR, MS, IR, fluorescence, UV/vis etc).
Expected outcomes
student will successfully prepare and purify iodo-alkyne synthons such as those shown below.
Duration of project
8 weeks, start time flexible (Dec 2011 or Jan 2012)
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Kathryn Fairfull-Smith
Dr James Blinco
