Hexaferrocenium tri[hexa(isothiocyanato)iron(III)] trihydroxonium complex as a new DNA intercalator for electrochemical DNA biosensor

Abstract Ferrocene or ferrocenium has been widely studied in the field of organometallic complexes because its stable thermodynamic, kinetic and redox properties. Novel hexaferrocenium tri[hexa(isothiocyanato)iron(III)]trihydroxonium (HexaFc) complex was product from reaction ferrocene, maleic acid ammonium thiocyanate confirmed by elemental analysis CHNS, FTIR single crystal X-ray crystallography. In this study, HexaFc used for first time as an electroactive indicator porcine DNA biosensor. The UV–Vis titrations with compound showed hypochromism redshift at 250 nm increasing concentrations. binding constant (K b ) towards CT-DNA (calf-thymus DNA) 3.1 × 10 4 M ?1 , indicated intercalator behaviour complex. To test usefulness biosensor application, a constructed. recognition probes were covalently immobilised onto silica nanospheres (SiNSs) via glutaraldehyde linker on screen-printed electrode (SPE). After intercalation complex, response to complementary measured using differential pulse voltammetry. demonstrated linear range 1 ?6 ?3 µM (R 2 = 0.9642) limit detection 4.83 ?8 up 23 days storage °C 86% initial response. results that is feasible hybridisation without use chemical label DNA.