Synthesis of a fluorescent analog of polychlorinated biphenyls for use in a continuous flow immunosensor assay.

A synthetic scheme has been developed for the preparation of a dye-labeled analog of polychlorinated biphenyls. The reaction of 2,3,5-trichlorophenol with 3-bromopropylamine hydrobromide under basic conditions was used to introduce a free primary amine group into the parent compound by formation of a stable ether linkage. Reaction of this amine with the succinimidyl ester of a sulfoindocyanine dye resulted in amide bond formation to produce a fluorescently-labeled product. The dye conjugate was used to charge a column containing immobilized antibodies against polychlorinated biphenyls. Upon application of samples containing various concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls, the fluorescent analog was displaced from the column in amounts proportional to the concentration of analyte. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl as low as 1 ppm were measurable using this system.