Fluorescent Sensor for Ozone.

About

Invention The inventors have developed a specific fluorescent sensor for ozone. This sensor can detect ozone in the air, in serum, and in pH 7 buffer at 24 to 37 °C by indicating bright fluorescent green. Fluorescent compounds exhibit a fluorescence signal only when the phenolic hydroxyl group is deprotenated. By starting with commercially available 2,7-dichlorofluorescein a two step synthesis of a non-fluorescent compound was prepared by addition of a 1-butenyl group to the phenolic hydroxyl group. The subsequent addition of ozone to this compound resulted in a two step reaction to give a deprotenated fluorescent compound by the elimination of acrolein. This reaction is specific to ozone and does not occur with other reactive oxygenated compounds.   Applications: 1) May be used to determine whether mammalian cells generate ozone in response to inflammatory signals. 2) Measures ozone in the air at home and on the street.  3) Ensures that ozone is not contaminated in swimming pools, drinking water, and foodstuffs. Advantages: 1) Unlike indigo carmine, this is a "turn-on" sensor and specific for ozone. Indigo carmine cannot distinguish between ozone and some other reactive oxygen species. This sensor is specific to ozone with little or no interference from reactive oxygen compounds.  2) Specificity allows less false positive ozone readings.  3) The procedure for sensing ozone is rather simple and can be applicable for biological and contaminated products and in air monitoring.