Detection of analytes in aqueous environments

Abstract

The invention relates to indicator molecules for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte in a medium, such as a liquid, and to methods for achieving such detection. More particularly, the invention relates to copolymer macromolecules containing relatively hydrophobic indicator component monomers, and hydrophilic monomers, such that the macromolecule is capable of use in an aqueous environment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An indicator macromolecule for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte in an aqueous environment, said macromolecule comprising a copolymer of: 
 a) one or more indicator component monomers which individually are not sufficiently water soluble to permit their use in an aqueous environment for detecting the presence or concentration of said analyte; and    b) one or more hydrophilic monomers; such that the macromolecule is capable of detecting the presence or concentration of said analyte in an aqueous environment.    
     
     
         2 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator component monomer comprises an N-(o-boronobenzyl) amino]methyl]anthracene derivative.  
     
     
         3 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic monomer comprises [3-(methacryloylamino)-propyl]trimethylammonium chloride.  
     
     
         4 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator component monomer is selected from the group consisting of a lanthanide chelate and a polyaromatic hydrocarbon.  
     
     
         5 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of hydrophilic monomer:indicator component momomer is from about 2:1 to about 500:1.  
     
     
         6 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 5 , wherein the ratio of hydrophilic monomer:indicator component momomer is from about 5:1 to about 50:1.  
     
     
         7 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of hydrophilic monomer:indicator component momomer is about 5:1.  
     
     
         8 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte detected is selected from the group consisting of a cis-diol; oxygen; carbon dioxide; and zinc, potassium, hydrogen, or carbonate ions.  
     
     
         9 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 8 , wherein the analyte detected is a saccharide.  
     
     
         10 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 9 , wherein the saccharide is glucose.  
     
     
         11 . The indicator macromolecule of  claim 1 , wherein 
 i) the molar ratio of hydrophilic monomer:indicator component momomer is from about 2:1 to about 15:1,    ii) the indicator component monomer comprises an N-(o-boronobenzyl) amino]methyl]anthracene derivative,    iii) the hydrophilic monomer comprises [3-(methacryloylamino)-propyl]trimethylammonium chloride, and    iv) the macromolecule exhibits an excimer effect.