Carbene Transition Metal Complexes for Low-Voltage Glucose Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glucose sensors using metal complexes with N-N ligands face issues of poor stability, mismatched reactivity, and require toxic mercury-containing compounds for synthesis, leading to environmental and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A transition metal complex with C-C type ligands, formed by a bidentate ligand containing a benzene ring and a carbene heterocyclic ring, coordinates with the transition metal to create two carbon-metal bonds, reducing redox potential and enhancing electron transfer capability without the need for mercury-containing reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If metal complexes with N-N ligands are used, then the sensor can measure glucose levels, but the operating voltage is high and susceptibility to interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose measurement capabilityVSAvoidoperating voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ligand type from N-N to C-N, which fundamentally alters the electronic properties of the metal complex. This parameter change in ligand chemistry directly reduces the redox potential and operating voltage while maintaining glucose measurement capability through the modified electron transfer properties of the C-N liganded metal complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If C-N ligands are used to reduce redox potential, then electron transfer capability improves, but toxic mercury-containing compounds are required for synthesis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron transfer capabilityVSAvoidtoxicity of synthesis reagents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful mercury-containing compounds from the synthesis process. By developing an alternative synthesis route that uses non-toxic reagents while still achieving the desired C-N ligand coordination, the invention removes the harmful element while preserving the beneficial electron transfer properties of the C-N liganded metal complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If N-N ligands are used in metal complexes, then the complex can function as electron transfer media, but stability is poor and reactivity is mismatched

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectron transfer functionVSAvoidcomplex stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ligand coordination chemistry from N-N to C-N type ligands. This parameter change in the chemical structure fundamentally improves the stability of the metal complex while maintaining appropriate reactivity for electron transfer. The C-N ligand provides stronger field strength and better kinetic stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and reactivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The transition metal complex achieves low redox potential and robust electron transfer, facilitating easy regulation between -200 mV and 100 mV, improving sensor performance with high sensitivity and rapid detection, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

reducing the redox potential, which enhances their electron transfer capability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP4656647A1Transition metal complex and methods for its preparation and use
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4656647A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656647A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656647A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transition metal complex is provided, which has a formula selected from: [M(A)(B)(C)]abY,[M(A)(D)(E)(F)]abY, or [M(A)(G)(H)(O)(P)]abY; wherein:M is a transition metal element; A is a bidentate ligand containing a benzene ring and a carbene heterocyclic ring with at least one nitrogen atom; B, C, and D are each independently a bidentate ligand selected from the group consisting of a structure represented by Formula (1) and a structure represented by Formula (2), as shown below; E, F, G, H, O, and P are each independently a monodentate ligand selected from a heterocyclic ring containing at least one heteroatom, CN-, or Cl-; in Formula (1), R1 and R2 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an alkylamino group;in Formula (2), R3, R4, R5, and R6are each independently selected from an alkyl group, a substituted or an unsubstituted aryl group.