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The research team has developed a simplified synthesis method for organic fluorophores, such as Cy3, using formaldehyde. This new technique is more cost-effective and atom-efficient compared to traditional methods, which often result in byproducts and low atom efficiency. By utilizing formaldehyde to add carbon into the molecular chain, the team reduced the molecular size required for the process, increasing atomic efficiency. The streamlined synthesis process eliminates extra stages and boosts efficiency, potentially improving medical diagnostics and bioimaging applications.
A research team has recently made a breakthrough in synthesizing organic fluorophores more cost-effectively and atom-efficiently than ever before by using formaldehyde, the simplest carbon molecule. Their findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on Sept. 18.
Organic fluorophores, known for their ability to fluoresce by absorbing specific wavelengths of light, are widely employed in medical diagnostics and bioimaging, including cancer cell tracking and genetic analysis. However, the synthesis of trimethine cyanine (Cy3), a commonly used organic fluorophore, has traditionally involved a complex compound with a high molecular weight, leading to numerous byproducts and low atom efficiency.
To address this issue, the team utilized formaldehyde (HCHO)—a simple molecule made up of one carbon (C) atom, two hydrogen (H) atoms, and one oxygen (O) atom. While formaldehyde can become toxic by reacting with proteins and DNA in vivo, it serves as a valuable tool in organic synthesis for forming new carbon-carbon bonds.
By using formaldehyde instead of conventional complex compounds to add carbon into the molecular chain, a critical step in Cy3 synthesis, the team significantly reduced the molecular size required for the process, maximizing atomic efficiency. Additionally, they streamlined the traditional multi-step asymmetric Cy3 synthesis into a one-pot reaction, eliminating extra stages and boosting synthetic efficiency.
The team also explored whether their technique could be applied to cells and tissues, considering that certain amounts of