Determination of Dopamine Using 2-(4-Boronophenyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic Acids as Fluorescent Probes

The selective identification of dopamine is a significant issue because this compound is an important neurotransmitter closely related to Parkinson’s disease and other mental disorders. 2-(4-Boronophenyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acid (PBAQA) has been previously reported as a water-soluble fluorescent probe for catechol. However, there are no significant differences in the binding constants between catechol and catecholamines, such as dopamine or levodopa. Here a series of bis-boronic acid compounds based on PBAQA were synthesized and the binding activities were characterized. As a representative compound, the binding constant of 4-(4-((3-(3-borono-4-chlorobenzamido)propyl)carbamoyl)quinolin-2-yl)boronic acid to dopamine is up to 10⁴?L?mol^?1 and much higher than previously reported boronic acid probes. Dopamine selectivity may be achieved by the variation of the substituents in the probe molecules. 4-(4-((3-(3-Borono-4-methoxybenzamido)propyl)carbamoyl)quinolin-2-yl)boronic acid has a stronger binding affinity to dopamine (K_a=5204?±?106?L?mol^?1) than catechol (K_a=2588?±?273?L?mol^?1) or levodopa (K_a=2383?±?273?L?mol^?1). This fluorescence response was used for determining dopamine in a range from 5?×?10^?5?mol?L^?1 to 5?×?10^?4?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 7.7?×?10^?6?mol?L^?1. This compound has been successfully used for the assay of dopamine in rabbit plasma, exhibiting excellent specificity. It is believed that synthesized compounds hold great promise as practical platforms to monitor dopamine levels.