Supramolecular complex formation by beta-cyclodextrin and ferrocenylnaphthalene diimide-intercalated double stranded DNA and improved electrochemical gene detection.

Ferrocenylnaphthalene diimide 1 can bind to double stranded DNA (dsDNA) by the threading intercalation mode and the resulting complex was stabilized further by beta- cyclodextrin (CD) by forming a supramolecular complex. These complex formation processes were studied by spectroscopic, viscometric, and electrochemical means in the absence or presence of beta-CD. Quantitative analysis by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and electrochemical experiments strongly suggested a 2:1 binding stoichiometry for beta-CD to 1 threading-intercalated to the dsDNA-immobilized electrode. Owing to this supramolecular complex formation, electrochemical DNA detection based on 1 was improved considerably.