Specific recognition of a nucleobase-functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene) (PEDOT) in aqueous media

In this Letter we report the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical investigation of a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) derivative covalently linked to the nucleobase uracil. The successful electrochemical polymerization of this derivative has provided modified electrodes with a novel functional poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) derivative. Recognition experiments in aqueous media have shown the specific recognition of the complementary base adenine. The electrochemical detection of the selective binding of nucleobases to this PEDOT derivative in aqueous media can be of particular interest for electrochemical sensor applications in physiological media.