Analytical Applications of Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry

The basic concepts of selection experiments with dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) were articulated more than 10 years ago (see Chapter 1). Since then, a number of applications have emerged. This includes the discovery new enzyme inhibitors, receptors, and catalysts, as well as the synthesis of novel materials such as responsive gels and polymers (see Chapters 2-5). A recent addition to the list of applications is the utilization of dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) for analyhcal purposes. This chapter summarizes the main ideas and results in this area. 

For a DCL sensor of this kind, the information about the analyte is distributed over the entire spectrum. The spectrum therefore represents a fingerprint of the analyte. To correlate the spectral changes with the analyte properties of interest (identity, quantity, purity), it is advantageous to use multivariate analyses techniques. In this regard, a DCL sensor is related to sensor arrays (1, 2]. However, contrary to sensor arrays with independent sensor units, a DCL sensor is comprised of compounds that are connected by exchange reactions. Furthermore, the various sensors of an array have to be analyzed separately, whereas a single UV-Vis or fluorescence measurement is sufficient for a DCL sensor. 

Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry. Edited by Joost N. H. Reek and Sijbren Otto 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 978-3-527-32122-3 

The dominant product in the absence of zinc was polymer A containing the aliphahe monomer 2. The addition of increasing amounts of zinc shifted the equilibrium in favor of polymers containing the aromatic monomer 1. Polymer B was found to be the dominant species when the system was equilibrated in the presence of two equivalents of Zn. The difference was explained by the prefer- 

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