Detection and identification of designer drugs by nanoparticle-based NMR chemosensing.

ABSTRACT: Properly designed monolayer-protected nanoparticles (2 nm core diameter) can be used as nanoreceptors for selective detection and identification of phenethylamine derivatives (designer drugs) in water. The molecular recognition mechanism is driven by the combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions within the coating monolayer. Each nanoparticle can bind up to 30-40 analyte molecules. The affinity constants range from 10⁵ to 10⁶ M^-1 and are modulated by the hydrophobicity of the aromatic moiety in the substrate. Detection of drug candidates (such as amphetamines and methamphetamines) is performed by using magnetization (NOE) or saturation (STD) transfer NMR experiments. In this way, the NMR spectrum of the drug is isolated from that of the mixt

SUBMITTER: Gabrielli L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5975544 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature