Pyrene-based heparin sensors in competitive aqueous media - the role of self-assembled multivalency (SAMul)

Amine-functionalised pyrene derivatives are reported and their ability to detect heparin via a fluorescent response determined - different responses are observed dependent on whether self-assembled multivalent binding between sensor and analyte takes place, and ratiometric heparin sensors which can detect this surgically-relevant polyanion in competitive media are reported. Simple functionalised pyrene derivatives can achieve ratiometric sensing of heparin with the precise sensing mechanism depending on whether the sensor self-assembles into a multivalent ligand display.