Phenylboronic acid-functionalized TTFAQ: modular synthesis and electrochemical recognition for saccharides

A phenylboronic acid-functionalized π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (TTFAQ) derivative was prepared through an efficient Cu-catalyzed alkyne-azide [3+2] cycloaddition reaction (click reaction). This boronic acid-TTFAQ hybrid system shows different electrochemical redox behavior upon titration with various saccharides in DMSO/H2O at pH 8.75, suggesting potential use in saccharide sensing and recognition.