Determination of Enantiomeric Composition via the Supramolecular Interactions of Rhodamine B or Cyclodextrins

Abstract

Different enantiomers can have disparate effects in biological systems. A majority of prescription drugs are chiral, which is why there is a demand to develop facile and cost-effective methods to measure enantiomeric composition. The ability to measure enantiomeric composition, however, is difficult because of the identical physical properties enantiomers possess in achiral environments. Two novel methods utilizing supramolecular sensors are outlined. The first method describes the synthesis of a chiral rhodamine B derivative with the potential to function as an enantioselective sensor. The second method monitors the change in the capacitance of a microsensor coated with a modified γ-cyclodextrin in order to determine enantiomer composition. Both methods demonstrate the potential of supramolecular systems in regards to chiral sensing.