Fluorogenic reagents for detection of glycoconjugates, alpha-ketoacids and diketones

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Compounds containing .alpha.-dicarbonyl groups are rendered capable of fluorescent emission by conjugation with carboxylic acid-terminated ortho-diaminoaryl reagents. The carboxylic acid groups serve as ionizable moieties which facilitate the conjugation reaction, and are retained in the conjugation product to enable or enhance the, ability of, the conjugated compounds to be separated in chromatographic and electromigration separation processes, notably electrphoresis. Ortho-dinitro derivatives of the reagents are also disclosed, these derivatives offering the advantage of stability as well as the ability to be used directly in the reaction in the presence of a reducing agent.