Azulene-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor For Adenosine Diphosphate

AzuFluor (R) 435-DPA-Zn, an azulene fluorophore bearing two zinc(ii)-dipicolylamine receptor motifs, exhibits fluorescence enhancement in the presence of adenosine diphosphate. Selectivity for ADP over ATP, AMP and PPi results from appropriate positioning of the receptor motifs, since an isomeric sensor cannot discriminate between ADP and ATP.