The most significant results in the framework of this research topic is represented by the synthesis of several poly(aryleneethynylene)s with repeating units bearing glucose molecules as substituents, with regular distribution over the polyconjugated chain (Scheme). These materials have been obtained by means of a palladium-catalyzed polymerization reaction, in the presence of silver oxide as cocatalyst, between dihalo derivatives and a suitable hydroquinone O-diglucoside derivative, bearing two trimethylsilylethynyl groups. The high versatility of this methodology allows to obtain a series of copolymers with different aromatic and heteroaromatic units, which represent examples of "sugar coated molecular wires", owing to the semiconducting properties of the polyconjugated chain. The high fluorescence typical of poly(aryleneethynylene)s, can be exploited in the fabrication of sensor devices, based upon the principle of "fluorescence quenching". Our copolymers may have a potential interest as active material for making specific sensors for biomolecules detection, working on the same basis. Moreover, the high versatility of the adopted synthetic methodology could open the access to a series of similar polymeric materials functionalized with different biomolecules (aminoacids, nucleosides, oligonucleotides) with the aim of achieving a wider selection of materials for biosensors in biological and biomedical applications. The interest for this research topic is proved by the financial support granted by MIUR to the Institute in the framework of "decreto n. 1105 del 9 ottobre 2002 Contributo straordinario agli istituti e/o enti culturali di ricerca e/o formazione pubblici e privati con sede operativa nelle aree ricomprese nell'obbiettivo 1" for the project n. 100/2: "Synthesis of conjugated polymers functionalzed with biomolecules and their application in sensor devices".
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