PEG-Linked luminescent platinum(ii) complex as aqueous polymeric molecular light switch for protein binding reactionsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: general experimental procedure, synthesis and characterization of 1 and 2, titration experiments and urea unfolding of BSA. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b2/b207395a/

Abstract

Attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to [Pt(4-HOPh-C⁁N⁁N)Cl] via covalent etheric bonds yields the luminescent polymer PEG-[Pt] (2), the photoluminescence of which is enhanced in hydrophobic regions of protein molecules (binding constant up to 10⁴ M⁻¹) in aqueous solution; complex 2 can function as a luminescent probe for protein denaturation due to urea unfolding reaction.