Ratiometric electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose.

Sean Goggins,Mary F Mahon,Christopher G Frost,Ellen A Apsey

doi:10.1039/c7ob00211d

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection is of high importance as it is a versatile (bio)marker whose detection can indicate the presence of explosives, enzyme activity and cell signalling pathways. Herein, we demonstrate the rapid and accurate ratiometric electrochemical detection of H2O2 using disposable screen-printed electrodes through a reaction-based indicator assay. Ferrocene derivatives equipped with self-immolative linkers and boronic acid ester moieties were synthesised and tested, and, through a thorough assay optimisation, the optimum probe showed good stability, sensitivity and selectivity towards H2O2. The optimised conditions were then applied to the indirect detection of glucose via an enzymatic assay, capable of distinguishing 10 μM from the background within minutes.

Highlights

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important small molecule used in many industrial applications, such as paper-bleaching and in the manufacture of disinfectants and explosives.[1]
Continuing our endeavour into developing ratiometric electrochemical methods towards more accurate and more reliable electrochemical biosensors, we describe the development of a ferrocene-derived probe designed for the facile ratiometric electrochemical detection of H2O2 and demonstrate its application towards a reliable electrochemical glucose chemodosimeter
To obtain a ratiometric detection method at facile oxidation potentials,‡ without the need for modified electrodes, we looked to begin our investigation by utilising ferrocene as a redox-active label

Summary

Introduction

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important small molecule used in many industrial applications, such as paper-bleaching and in the manufacture of disinfectants and explosives.[1]. This peak was found to be at an identical oxidation potential as that of aminoferrocene 6, which was synthesised separately according to a literature procedure.[31] As such, this observation of a ratiometric electrochemical detection method can be attributed to the asdesigned H2O2-mediated oxidation of the boronic acid moiety to its corresponding alcohol, which is followed by subsequent linker elimination and carbamate decarboxylation to release aminoferrocene 6.

Results

Conclusion