Detection of analytes including nitro-containing analytes
Sensors and methods for determination of analytes are provided. Analytes including explosives (e.g., RDX or PETN) may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a material upon exposure to the analyte. In some embodiments, the analyte and the material may interact via a chemical reaction to form a new emissive species. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity.
1. A sensor, comprising:
a compound comprising the structure,
wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted; R 1 and R 2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; and n is 0-8;
a source of energy applicable to the compound to cause an emission of radiation; and
an emission detector positioned to detect the emission.
2. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are can be the same or different and are alkyl or aryl, any of which is optionally substituted.
3. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are alkyl.
4. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are aryl.
5. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are phenyl.
6. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein at least two R groups are joined together to form a cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl ring, any of which is optionally substituted.
7. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein X is nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus, any of which is optionally substituted.
8. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein X is an optionally substituted nitrogen.
9. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure,
wherein R 3 is hydrogen or alkyl.
10. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure,
11. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the compound has the structure,
12. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the compound is in solution.
13. A sensor as in claim 1 , further comprising a support material, wherein the compound is dispersed within the support material.
14. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the support material is a polymer.
15. A sensor as in claim 14 , wherein the polymer is poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl benzoate), poly(vinyl acetate), cellulose, corn starch, poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone), polyacrylamide, epoxy, silicone, poly(vinyl butyral), polyurethane, nylon, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyester, polyether, polybutadiene, or combinations thereof.
16. A sensor as in claim 14 , wherein the polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(vinylpyrrolidinone), or poly(4-vinylpyridine).
17. A sensor as in claim 14 , wherein the polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate).
18. A sensor as in claim 14 , wherein the polymer is poly(vinylpyrrolidinone).
19. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the source of energy, when applied to the compound, causes the analyte to generate a species capable of interacting with the compound via a nitration reaction.
20. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the source of energy is an electric, magnetic, optical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or mechanical field.
21. A sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the source of energy is electromagnetic radiation.
22. A sensor, comprising:
a material comprising a compound capable of accepting a nitro equivalent upon exposure to a nitro-containing analyte;
a source of energy applicable to the material to cause an emission of radiation; and
an emission detector positioned to detect the emission.
23. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the nitro-containing analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX),2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), 2,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN), or 1,3,5,7-tetranitroperhydro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).
24. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the nitro-containing analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX).
25. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the nitro-containing analyte is 22,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN).
26. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the compound comprises the structure,
wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted; R 1 and R 2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; and n is 0-8.
27. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are can be the same or different and are alkyl or aryl, any of which is optionally substituted.
28. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are alkyl.
29. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are aryl.
30. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are phenyl.
31. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein at least two R groups are joined together to form a cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl ring, any of which is optionally substituted.
32. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein X is nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus, any of which is optionally substituted.
33. A sensor as in claim 26 , wherein X is an optionally substituted nitrogen.
34. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the compound has the structure,
wherein R 3 is hydrogen or alkyl.
35. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the compound has the structure,
36. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the compound has the structure,
37. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the compound is in solution.
38. A sensor as in claim 22 , further comprising a support material, wherein the compound is dispersed within the support material.
39. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the support material is a polymer.
40. A sensor as in claim 39 , wherein the polymer is poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl benzoate), poly(vinyl acetate), cellulose, corn starch, poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone), polyacrylamide, epoxy, silicone, poly(vinyl butyral), polyurethane, nylon, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyester, polyether, polybutadiene, or combinations thereof.
41. A sensor as in claim 39 , wherein the polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(vinylpyrrolidinone), or poly(4-vinylpyridine).
42. A sensor as in claim 39 , wherein the polymer is poly(methylmethacrylate).
43. A sensor as in claim 39 , wherein the polymer is poly(vinylpyrrolidinone).
44. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the source of energy, when applied to the compound, causes the analyte to generate a species capable of interacting with the compound via a nitration reaction.
45. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the source of energy is an electric, magnetic, optical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or mechanical field.
46. A sensor as in claim 22 , wherein the source of energy is electromagnetic radiation.
47. A method for determining an analyte, comprising:
exposing a material to a sample suspected of containing an analyte, wherein the analyte, if present, interacts with the material via a nitration reaction to produce a nitro-containing compound having a luminescence emission; and
determining the luminescence emission of the compound, thereby determining the analyte.
48. A method as in claim 47 , further comprising:
exposing the analyte to a source of energy such that the analyte produces a species capable of interacting with the compound via a nitration reaction.
49. A method as in claim 48 , wherein the species is a NO x species, where x is at least 1.
50. A method as in claim 48 , wherein the source of energy is an electric, magnetic, optical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or mechanical field.
51. A method as in claim 48 , wherein the source of energy is electromagnetic radiation.
52. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNC), 2,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN), or 1,3,5,7-tetranitroperhydro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).
53. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX).
54. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the analyte is 22,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN).
55. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the compound comprises the structure,
wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted; R 1 and R 2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; and n is 0-8.
56. A method as in claim 55 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are can be the same or different and are alkyl or aryl, any of which is optionally substituted.
57. A method as in claim 55 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are alkyl.
58. A method as in claim 55 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are aryl.
59. A method as in claim 55 , wherein R 1 and R 2 are phenyl.
60. A method as in claim 55 , wherein at least two R groups are joined together to form a cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl ring, any of which is optionally substituted.
61. A method as in claim 55 , wherein X is nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or phosphorus, any of which is optionally substituted.
62. A method as in claim 55 , wherein X is an optionally substituted nitrogen.
63. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the compound has the structure,
wherein R 3 is hydrogen or alkyl.
64. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the compound has the structure,
65. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the compound has the structure,
66. A method as in claim 47 , wherein the compound is in solution.
67. A method as in claim 47 , further comprising a support material, wherein the compound is dispersed within the support material.
68. A method for determination of an analyte, comprising:
exposing a material to a sample suspected of containing an analyte, wherein the analyte, if present, interacts with the material to produce a change in a determinable signal of the material,
wherein the material comprises a compound having the structure,
wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted; R 1 and R 2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted; and n is 0-8; and
determining the change in the determinable signal of the material, thereby determining the analyte.
69. A method as in claim 68 , wherein the determinable signal is a luminescence emission.
70. A method as in claim 69 , wherein the change comprises a change in the wavelength of the luminescence emission.
71. A method as in claim 69 , wherein the change comprises a decrease in luminescence intensity.
72. A method as in claim 69 , wherein the change comprises an increase in luminescence intensity.
73. A method as in claim 68 , further comprising:
exposing the analyte to a source of energy such that the analyte produces a species capable of interacting with the compound via a nitration reaction.
74. A method as in claim 73 , wherein the species is a NO x species, where x is at least 1.
75. A method as in claim 73 , wherein the source of energy is an electric, magnetic, optical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or mechanical field.
76. A method as in claim 73 , wherein the source of energy is electromagnetic radiation.
77. A method as in claim 68 , wherein the analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMND), 2,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN), or 1,3,5,7-tetranitroperhydro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).
78. A method as in claim 68 , wherein the analyte is 2,4,6-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX).
79. A method as in claim 68 , wherein the analyte is 22 ,2-bis[(nitrooxy)-methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate ester (PETN).
80. A method as in claim 68 , wherein the compound is in solution.
81. A method as in claim 68 , further comprising a support material, wherein the compound is dispersed within the support material.