Holographic Sensor

Abstract

A sensor for the detection of an analyte comprising a cis-diol moiety, which comprises a holographic element comprising a medium and a hologram disposed throughout the volume of the medium, wherein an optical characteristic of the element changes as a result of a variation of a physical property occurring throughout the volume of the medium, and wherein the medium is a polymer comprising a group of formula (i) wherein n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; each X (if present) is independently is an atom or group which, via an electronic effect, promotes formation of a tetrahedral geometry about the boron atom; and Y is a spacer which, when n is 0 or otherwise optionally, is an atom or group which, via an electronic effect, promotes formation of a tetrahedral geometry about the boron atom. Such a sensor may be used for the detection of glucose.

1 . A sensor for the detection of an analyte comprising a cis-diol moiety, which comprises a holographic element comprising a medium and a hologram disposed throughout the volume of the medium, wherein an optical characteristic of the element changes as a result of a variation of a physical property occurring throughout the volume of the medium, and wherein the medium comprises a polymer comprising a group of formula (i) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein X is an atom or group which, via an electronic effect, promotes formation of a tetrahedral geometry about the boron atom of the —B(OH) 2  group; and
 Y is a linker to the remainder of the polymer. 
 
     
     
         2 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein X is electron-withdrawing. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor according to  claim 2 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro and cyano. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor according to  claim 3 , wherein X is fluorine. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein X comprises —C(O)— and/or —NH—. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein X is in the ortho position relative to the —B(OH) 2  group. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor according to  claim 6 , wherein X comprises an amide or amine group which is capable of forming an intramolecular bond to the —B(OH) 2  group, thereby forming a ring. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor according to  claim 6 , wherein X is capable of forming an intramolecular bond to the —B(OH) 2  group via a resonance or mesomeric effect. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor according to  claim 6 , wherein X is capable of forming an intramolecular bond to the —B(OH) 2  group via lone pair donation. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor according to  claim 9 , wherein the lone pair donation is from a nitrogen atom. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor according to  claim 9 , wherein the lone pair donation is from an oxygen atom. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor according to  claim 11 , wherein the oxygen atom is a carbonyl oxygen. 
     
     
         13 . A sensor for the detection of an analyte comprising a cis-diol moiety, which comprises a holographic element comprising a medium and a hologram disposed throughout the volume of the medium, wherein an optical characteristic of the element changes as a result of a variation of a physical property occurring throughout the volume of the medium, and wherein the medium comprises a polymer comprising a group of formula (ii) 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein Y is a spacer providing a link to the remainder of the polymer, and which comprises an amide or amine group which is capable of forming an intramolecular bond to the —B(OH) 2  group, thereby forming a ring. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor according to  claim 13 , wherein said intramolecular bond is formed via a resonance or mesomeric effect. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor according to  claim 13 , wherein said intramolecular bond is formed via lone pair donation. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor according to  claim 15 , wherein the lone pair donation is from a nitrogen atom. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor according to  claim 15 , wherein the lone pair donation is from an oxygen atom. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor according to  claim 17 , wherein the oxygen atom is a carbonyl oxygen.