Pillar-arenes are versatile supramolecular hosts. The architecture of pillar[5]arens can be varied in countless ways while keeping its core structure intact. We have designed and synthesized novel pillar[5]arenes appended with Thioflavin T moieties. Thioflavins are used as markers to detect Alzheimer’s disease because they bind the Ab plaques formed during the initial stages of the disease. Hence, the development of a molecular imaging probe to detect the disease at an earlier stage is highly beneficial. We designed a novel pillar[5]arene consisting of a 4 to 1 ratio of different hydroquinone-derived monomers. One monomer contained propargyl groups, allowing for subsequent click chemistry to conjugate targeting ligands, such as Thioflavin T. Once cyclized into a pillar[5]arene, the other 4 monomers could be converted in to imidazolium ions, thus allowing for the supramolecular host to be water soluble. Our initial investigations with water-soluble pillar[5]arenes containing imidazolium groups verified that the host can encapsulate xenon atoms, and thus, can be an effective xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging agent. Herein we report the first ever water soluble ThT-appended pillar[5]arene that can be used in xenon-129 MRI.<br/>

Water soluble pillar[5]arenes as a potential 129Xe MRI probe

256th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.