New method for adding reagents: an application of caged molecules to analytical chemistry

The main aim is to describe a novel application of photolabile precursors, called caged molecules, to analytical chemistry. We have devised a method f or adding reagents in a vial containing a sample by photo-irradiation. Resu lts for caged 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid inactivated by a 4,5-dimeth oxy-2-nitrobenzyl group, are presented as an application of a caged reagent to fluorimetry used for the assay of peroxidase. The new method has the fo llowing merits, which have never been obtained by conventional pipette-base d techniques. (1) Uniform addition without stirring or mixing is obtained. (2) The addition time is controllable. (3) Trace amounts of reagents are ad ded precisely and reproducibly. (C)2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.