Advisor Dean of the College

iii The aim of this study was to find a suitable route for the synthesis of a compound that can be useful for synthesis of a glucose sensor. Earlier studies by a student of this group had pointed towards the use of a boronic acid compound which shows the reversible binding of glucose molecule to the boronic acid moiety. Moreover, further studies showed that the binding is in the ratio of 1(glucose):2(boronic acid) which further enhances the change in the properties. The recent study concentrated on conversion of 5-bromonicotinic acid to the corresponding boronic acid derivative. For this literature survey was done but no direct reaction was obtained for the system. An additional raw material 3,5-dibromopyridine was taken up as an alternative which is can be used starting material for nicotinic acid. The reactions using 5-bromonicotinic acid were done first by considering the carboxylic acid function and its formation of hydrophobic part of the molecule. So an allylation reaction was carried out. This was then converted to the corresponding silyl derivative. This completed the hydrophobic part of the molecule. Several boronic acid moeity introduction reactions were tried, which can be used in future work. The incorporation of the boronic acid group in the system allows the reversible binding with glucose molecule and hence give molecular recognition for glucose. i