Investigation of benzodiazaborine library as novel pH-responsive fluorophore based on a combinatorial approach

Abstract

pH is used as an important parameter in intracellular homeostases such as proliferation and apoptosis. In particular, abnormal pH levels in cells are associated with cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, accurate measurement of the physiological pH is important. In this study, we constructed benzodiazaborine (bDAB) library and applied them as a novel method of pH-responsive scaffold. bDAB performed pH sensing with constant photophysical tendencies according to pH, and also had properties as a pH indicator such as stability and reversibility. In addition, it was shown that neutral to alkaline pKa could be covered according to functional groups around the central bDAB scaffold. In conclusion, bDAB can be applied as a novel pH-responsive fluorescent scaffold and is expected to provide hands to various bDAB studies.