A Transition Metal Carbonyl Probe for Use in a Highly Specific and Sensitive SERS-Based Assay for Glucose

A triosmium carbonyl cluster–boronic acid conjugate is used as a secondary carbohydrate probe in a SERS-based assay. The assay does not require conjugation of the metal carbonyl probe to a SERS-active species, and it utilizes the CO stretching vibrations of the metal carbonyl, which lies in a silent region of the SERS spectrum (1800–2200 cm^–1), for quantification. High selectivity for glucose over fructose and galactose is obtained, and a human urine sample doped with glucose is detected accurately