Kanamycin A 6′-pyrenylamide: a selective probe for heparin detection

We have synthesized a novel derivative of kanamycin A bearing a pyrenyl fluorophore which can be used for the specific recognition of heparin in EtOH:H2O (1:3) through formation of a 2:1 complex. The receptor shows specific optical signalling for heparin, but exhibits no significant changes on addition of various other biological molecules.