Synthesis and quartz surface modification of 9,10-di-subsituted-anthracene 18-crown-6 chemosensors for the detection of saxitoxin

ORGN 365

Ryan Farris, rfarris@uark.edu, Hua Mao, and Robert E. Gawley, bgawley@uark.edu. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Saxitoxin (STX) is a small molecule, and because of its neurotoxicity, is the most toxic component of the paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs). Mouse bioassay is the current method used by government agencies to detect saxitoxin and its derivatives (known collectively as paralytic shellfish poisons, or PSPs). Current detection methods are bulky, expensive, or require loss of animal life. More sensitive and portable chemosensors are being developed, which are PET-based (Photoinduced Electron Transfer) for the detection of STX.