Self‐Propelled Multifunctional Microrobots Harboring Chiral Supramolecular Selectors for "Enantiorecognition‐on‐the‐Fly". Issue 14 (9th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muñoz, Jose; Urso, Mario; Pumera, Martin
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 61:Issue 14(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-09
• Subjects: Chiral Analysis -- Cyclodextrin -- Magnetic Micromotors -- Nickel Microrockets -- Quantum Dots; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Herein, a general procedure for the synthesis of multifunctional MRs, which simultaneously exhibit i) chiral, ii) magnetic, and iii) fluorescent properties in combination with iv) self‐propulsion, is reported. Self‐propelled Ni@Pt superparamagnetic microrockets have been functionalized with fluorescent CdS quantum dots carrying a chiral host biomolecule as β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The "on‐the‐fly" chiral recognition potential of MRs has been interrogated by taking advantage of the β‐CD affinity to supramolecularly accommodate different chiral biomolecules (i.e., amino acids). As a proof‐of‐concept, tryptophan enantiomers have been discriminated with a dual‐mode (optical and electrochemical) readout. This approach paves the way to devise intelligent cargo micromachines with "built‐in" chiral supramolecular recognition capabilities to elucidate the concept of "enantiorecognition‐on‐the‐fly", which might be facilely customized by tailoring the supramolecular host–guest encapsulation. Abstract : Multifunctional microrobots, made of Ni@Pt microrockets, CdS quantum dots, and a host β‐cyclodextrin selector, have been engineered that simultaneously exhibit i) self‐propulsion, ii) fluorescence, and iii) magnetic properties in combination with iv) supramolecular chiral recognition for "enantiorecognition‐on‐the‐fly" approaches. As a model chiral target, tryptophan enantiomers have been discriminated using a bimodal (optical and electrical) readout.