Analytical Application of Oligopyrrole Macrocycles

Abstract

Progress of modern analytical chemistry is closely related with advancement in other fields such as organic chemistry and biochemistry. Successful solution of current scientific problems is inconceivable without close cooperation of different chemical disciplines. As an example of such hot and very intricate theme research in the field of molecular recognition of biologically active compounds can serve, where numerous methods of analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry can suitably be utilized, elaborated and brought into consonance. This multidisciplinary overlap logically leads to the advent of new scientific fields with their own tools, methodologies and subjects of exploration - bioanalytical chemistry and nanotechnology. This review covers different aspects of analytical application of oligopyrrole macrocycles (mainly porphyrins and sapphyrins). These compounds are widely used in analytical chemistry due to their outstanding optical properties. In our contribution oligopyrrole macrocycles are considered as signaling and structural parts of chemical receptors and selectors in various applications. Introduction of different moieties into meso-position of macrocyclic rings allows to obtain e.g., sterically well-organized receptors for recognition of biologically important analytes, new chromatographic materials, and powerful tools in electrochemical research. Finally, future trends in the field are outlined briefly.