Constrained photophysics of 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine in micellar environments: a spectrofluorometric study

Photophysical properties of 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ) have been studied in different aqueous micellar environments using steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The charge transfer (CT) fluorescence exhibits appreciable hypsochromic shift, along with an enhancement in the fluorescence intensity in all the micellar media. This is associated with an increase in the fluorescence anisotropy (r), which suggests that the fluorophore molecule experiences motionally restricted environments upon binding with the micelles. Fluorescence spectral position and fluorescence quenching studies suggest that the fluorescing moiety does not penetrate into the core of the micellar units; rather it binds at the micelle-water interfacial region. The binding constant and free energy change during probe-micelle binding have been evaluated from relevant fluorescence data. Light has been thrown on the mode of action of urea on micelle bound probes. The results are interpreted in terms of the model that urea displaces water molecules from the micellar interface and the consequent destabilization leads to the expulsion of the probe molecules from the interfacial region. Polarity and viscosity of the microenvironments around the probe have been determined in the micellar systems.     

Effect of nanocavity confinement on the rotational relaxation dynamics: 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine in micelles

In continuation of our recent study on the steady state photophysics of a biologically active beta-carboline derivative, 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ), in the present article we have investigated the effect of nanocavity confinement on the excited state dynamics and rotational relaxation of the probe using picosecond time resolved fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy techniques. The polarity dependent intramolecular charge transfer process is responsible for the remarkable sensitivity of this biological fluorophore in micellar environments. The fluorescence anisotropy decay of AODIQ incorporated inside the micelle is biexponential. The rotational motion of the probe was interpreted on the basis of a two step model consisting of a fast restricted rotation of the probe and a slow lateral diffusion of the probe in the micelle; both coupled to the overall rotation of the micelle. Experimental results reveal that micellar environment causes significant retardation of both the wobbling as well as the translational motion of the probe.     

Characterization of the fluorescence emission properties of prodan in different reverse micellar environments

We have examined the steady state and time resolved fluorescence emission properties of the hydrophobic fluorescence probe, prodan, in three representative reverse micellar systems formed by the surfactants poly(oxyethylene) (tetramethylbutyl) phenylether (Triton X-100, neutral), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, cationic) and sodium bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT, anionic) in organic solvent media containing different concentrations of water. The results obtained from the experiments indicate conspicuous dependence of the emission behaviour of prodan on the type of surfactant used and the water/surfactant molar ratio (w0). The nature of the emission profiles, along with relevant parameters namely emission maximum (lambda(em)max), anisotropy (r) and lifetime (tau) data are used to infer the distribution and microenvironments of the prodan molecules in the reverse micelles at different w0 values. Furthermore, quantitative estimates have been obtained for the polarities (in terms of the empirical polarity parameter E(T)(30)) of the sites of solubilization of the fluorophore in different reverse micellar systems.     

Anomalous association and fluorophore influence on the position of dimethylaniline in micelles: fluorescence quenching of 1,8-acridinedione

Fluorescence quenching of 9,10-dimethyl-3, 4,6,7,9,10-hexahydro-1,8(2H,5H) acridinedione (ADD) dye by N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) in SDS and CTAB were studied by steady state fluorescence and time resolved techniques. The Stern-Volmer plots for the quenching of ADD by DMA is found to be linear and the Stern-Volmer constant K(SV) depends on the micellar concentration. The fluorescence quenching analysis reveals the binding of DMA with the micelles. The perturbation of the probe on the position of DMA molecule in micelle is inferred in the present investigation. The ADD fluorophore drives the DMA molecule into the non-polar region (core) of the micelle whereas other fluorophores like pyrene and rhodamine6G do not affect the position of DMA. In this report, the importance of the nature of fluorophores in determining the position and association of the quencher molecules in the aggregated systems is being discussed.     

2-Methyl Naphthalene as Fluorescence Probe in Ionic and Nonionic Micelles: Fluorescence Quenching by Halides

The fluorescence characteristics of 2-methyl naphthalene have been studied in ionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and in nonionic micellar medium of p-t-octylphenyl polyethoxyethanol (Triton X-100). The fluorescence quenching of fluorophore by halides and pseudohalide obeys the Stern-Volmer Equation up to a certain concentration of quencher. A quenching sphere of action model has been considered to explain the deviations from Stern-Volmer behaviour. The distribution of quenchers in the micellar phase has been calculated.     

Studies of bio-mimetic medium of ionic and non-ionic micelles by a simple charge transfer fluorescence probe N,N-dimethylaminonapthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

In this report we have studied micellization process of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants using N,N-dimethylaminonapthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) as an external fluorescence probe. Micropolarity, microviscosity, critical micellar concentration of these micelles based on steady state absorption and fluorescence and time resolved emission spectroscopy of the probe DMANAN show that the molecule resides in the micelle-water interface for ionic micelles and in the core for the non-ionic micelle. The effect of variation of pH of the micellar solution as well as fluorescence quenching measurements of DMANAN provide further support for the location of the probe in the micelles.     

Photophysics and dynamics of a β-carboline analogue in room temperature ionic liquids

Room temperature ionic liquids are rapidly emerging as a new class of media that are ideally suited for various applications including carrying out chemical reactions. In the present article, we report the photophysics of a β-carboline analogue, namely, 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ), in three room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate ([BMIM][MeSO(4)]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate ([BMIM][C(8)SO(4)]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate ([EMIM][MeSO(4)]). Out of these, [BMIM][C(8)SO(4)] is a typical RTIL that forms micellar aggregates above a critical micellar concentration (CMC). Steady state absorption, steady state and time resolved fluorescence techniques are used to probe the properties of these systems. The investigation reveals that the photophysics of AODIQ is modified significantly in the micelle-forming RTIL as compared to that in the other two. A comparative study with the fluorophore in [BMIM][C(8)SO(4)] and a conventional anionic surfactant of a similar hydrophobic chain length from the sodium-n-alkyl sulfate series, viz., sodium octyl sulfate (S(8)S), reveals that the fluorophore experiences a more constrained environment in the RTIL micelle as compared to the conventional anionic micelle.     

Temperature-dependent hydration at micellar surface: activation energy barrier crossing model revisited

In recent years, the validity of the activation energy barrier crossing model at the micellar surface brings notable controversy (Sen, P.; Mukherjee, S.; Halder, A.; Bhattacharyya, K. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2004, 385, 357-361. Kumbhakar, M.; Goel, T.; Mukherjee, T.; Pal, H. J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 19246-19254.) in the literature. In order to check the validity of the model by time-resolved solvation of a probe fluorophore, a wider range of temperature must be considered. At the same time, spatial heterogeneity (solubilization) of the probe and structural perturbation of the host micelle should carefully be avoided, which was not strictly maintained in the earlier studies. We report here the solvation dynamics of 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6(p-dimethylamino-styryl) 4H-pyran (DCM) in the SDS micelle at 298, 323, and 348 K. The probe DCM is completely insoluble in bulk water in this wide range of temperature. The size of the micelle at different temperatures using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique is found to have insignificant change. The hydration number of the micelle, determined by sound velocity measurements, decreases with increasing temperature. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy reveals the retention of the probe in the micellar interface within the temperature range. The average solvation time decreases with increasing temperature. The result of the solvation study has been analyzed in the light of energetics of bound to free water conversion at a constant size and decreasing hydration number at the micellar surface. The solvation process at the micellar surface has been found to be the activation energy barrier crossing type, in which interfacially bound type water molecules get converted into free type molecules. We have calculated Ea to be 3.5 kcal mol-1, which is in good agreement with that obtained by molecular dynamics simulation studies.     

Substituent effect on the emission behavior of thiazolidinedione derivatives in cationic and anionic micellar media

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) derivatives have been found to possess potent immunostimulatory properties as well as antiarthritic, antidiabetic and oncostatic activities. These compounds are free radical scavengers. Photophysical properties of the compounds have been studied in different aqueous micellar environments using steady state and time resolved emission spectroscopy. Appreciable hypsochromic shifts with enhancement in the fluorescence intensities have been observed in the ionic micellar media. The binding constants and energy changes during probe-micelle binding have been evaluated from relevant fluorescence data. Polarity of the microenvironment surrounding the probe molecules has been determined in the micellar systems.     

Micellization and synergistic interaction of binary surfactant mixtures based on sodium nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate

Mixed micelle formation and synergistic interactions of binary surfactant combinations of sodium nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (NPES) with typical surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100 (TX100), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) at 25 degrees C in the presence of NaCl have been investigated. The critical micelle concentration of the binary mixtures has been quantitatively estimated by steady-state fluorescence measurements. The micellar characteristics such as composition, activity coefficients, and mutual interaction parameters have been estimated following different theoretical treatments. Investigation on the micellization and synergistic interaction of NPES with four kinds of surfactants showed that the behavior of the binary mixture deviated from the ideal state. The analysis revealed that the interaction parameter values (beta) varied with variation of solvent composition. Besides the strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged surfactant NPES-CTAB mixture, the interaction between NPES and SDS also showed far more deviation from ideal behavior than that of TX100 and AOT. The reason for the synergism is also discussed and the results show that an ionic and a nonionic surfactant character existed concurrently in NPES due to the combination of a sulfate group and polyoxyethylene as a hydrophilic moiety. Zeta potential and diffusion coefficient measurements of micelles confirmed the synergistic interaction between the binary surfactants.     

Characterization of micelles of polyoxyethylene nonylphenol (Igepal) and its complexation with 3,7-diamino-2,8-dimethyl- 5-phenylphenazinium chloride

This paper explores the association of a nonionic surfactant, Igepal (polyoxyethylene nonylphenol), in aqueous media by means of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the aggregate formed in the aqueous medium has been determined, using three different methods: UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Stokes shift. The correlation of CMC with hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) indicates that the CMC decreases with decreased HLB. The obtained CMC values from different methods are close to each other and have allowed the determination of DeltaG values associated with the micellization. The association constant of the dye molecule Safranine T (ST) with the nonionic micelle of Igepal, aggregation number of the surfactant monomer, and location of the fluorophore in the micellar environment have been determined. The vertical ionization potential of Igepal, electron affinity of the dye, and degree of charge transfer from the micellar aggregate to the dye molecule have been determined by AM1 calculation. The experimental charge transfer transition energies are well correlated with the determined ionization potential values (ID) of Igepal. The degree of charge transfer (ground state complexes) has been found to be low. The polarity of the micelle solubilization sites has been estimated from the solvatochromic shift, Kosowar Z value, and ET30, and ETN values.     

Temperature effect on the fluorescence anisotropy decay dynamics of Coumarin-153 dye in Triton-X-100 and Brij-35 micellar solutions

The fluorescence anisotropy decay dynamics of the fluorescent probe Coumarin-153 (C153) have been investigated in two neutral micelles, Triton-X-100 (TX-100) and Brij-35 (BJ-35), at different temperatures and analyzed on the basis of the well-known two-step model. Because steady-state fluorescence spectra of the above probe do not show any noticeable changes with respect to temperature, for either of the studied micelles, suggests a similar polarity in the microenvironment around the probe at all the temperatures studied. The anisotropy results indicated that, for both the micelles, the fluidity inside the Palisade layer increases with temperature. However, the temperature effect on the anisotropy decay is relatively more pronounced in TX-100 than in BJ-35. It is inferred that the temperature effect on the anisotropy decay in the BJ-35 micelle is mainly due to the thermal effect on the microviscosity in the micellar phase. In the case of TX-100, the results indicate that, along with the above thermal effect, an additional effect is observed due to the increased size and hydration of the micelle with temperature, with the result being that the fluorescence anisotropy decay in TX-100 is more sensitive to temperature than in BJ-35. In the TX-100 micelle, our studies show that with an increase in temperature, even though the micellar size increases substantially, the distance of the probe from the micellar core does not increase that significantly. Thus, with increasing temperature, the probe undergoes a relative migration toward the micellar core to avoid the increased hydration in the micellar Palisade layer.     

Photophysics of a cationic biological photosensitizer in anionic micellar environments: combined effect of polarity and rigidity

A steady-state and time-resolved photophysical study of a cationic phenazinium dye, phenosafranin (PSF), has been investigated in well-characterized biomimetic micellar nanocavities formed by anionic surfactants of varying chain lengths, namely, sodium decyl sulfate (S(10)S), sodium dodecyl sulfate (S(12)S), and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (S(14)S). In all these micellar environments, the charge transfer fluorescence of PSF shows a large hypsochromic shift along with an enhancement in the fluorescence quantum yield as compared to that in aqueous medium. A reduction in the nonradiative deactivation rate within the hydrophobic interior of micelles led to an increase in the fluorescence yield and lifetime. The present work shows the degree of accessibility of the fluorophore toward the ionic quencher in the presence of surfactants of different surfactant chain lengths. The fluorometric and fluorescence quenching studies suggest that the fluorophore resides at the micelle-water interfacial region. The enhancements in the fluorescence anisotropy and rotational relaxation time of the probe in all the micellar environments from the pure aqueous solution suggest that the fluorophore binds in motionally restricted regions introduced by the micelles. Polarity and viscosity of the microenvironments around the probe in the micellar systems have been determined. The work has paid proper attention to the hydrophobic effect of the surfactant chain length on photophysical observations.     

Study of proteinous and micellar microenvironment using donor acceptor charge transfer fluorosensor N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

Interaction of charge transfer fluorophore N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) with globular proteins Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) brings forth a marked change in the position and intensity of band maxima both in case of absorption and fluorescence spectra. Spectroscopic approach has been elaborately implemented to explore the binding phenomena of the probe with HSA and BSA and it is found that the extent of binding of the probe to both serum albumins is similar in nature. Steady state fluorescence anisotropy values, fluorescence quenching study using acrylamide quencher and Red Edge Excitation Shift (REES) help in drawing reliable conclusions regarding the location of the probe molecule within the hydrophobic cavity of the proteins. An increase in fluorescence lifetime of the probe molecule solubilized in both the proteinous media also indicate that the probe is located at the motionally restricted environment inside the hydrophobic cavity of proteins and hence non-radiative channels are less operative than in the bulk water. Similarly, the variation of position and intensity of the emission maxima of DMANAN solubilized in micellar medium of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) also predicts well the critical micellar concentration (CMC) and polarity of micellar microenvironment.     

FLUORESCENCE PROBE FOR MICROENVIRONMENTS: A NEW PROBE FOR MICELLE SOLVENT PARAMETERS AND PREMICELLAR AGGREGATES

Abstract— A previous study on the electronic spectroscopy of p -N,N-dialkylaminobenzylidenemalononitrile, 1, has been extended to a larger variety of organic solvents and to micelles of ionic and nonionic surfactants. By comparing the fluorescence emission (λ_F and φ_∫) of 1 in micelles and in homogeneous organic solvents, the effective polarity and the microviscosity of the micellar environments of potassium dodecanoate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and Triton X-100 micelles have been determined to be 40, 40, 36 and 28, respectively and 23, 31, 34 and 28 cP, respectively. These results indicate that the fluorescence probe is located in the micelle–water interface of a micelle and this region of a micelle is polar and viscous. 1 has also been studied in different surfactants with varying surfactant concentrations. The φ_∫ of 1, a microviscosity gauge for micellar aggregates, remains unchanged at the critical micelle concentrations of various surfactants, but decreases at much lower surfactant concentrations. This is attributable to the formation of premicellar aggregates of surfactant molecules below their critical micelle concentrations.     

How does the urea dynamics differ from water dynamics inside the reverse micelle?

In this study, the urea dynamics inside AOT reverse micelle (RM) has been monitored without intervention of water using time-resolved fluorescence techniques from the picosecond to nanosecond time regime. It has been observed that urea dynamics inside the reverse micelle is severely retarded compared to water RM due to the formation of highly networked urea cluster inside the RM. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy study also confirms the existence of a confined environment around the dye at higher concentrations of urea inside the reverse micelle. The dynamics of urea-water mixtures inside AOT reverse micelle has also been monitored with increasing urea concentration to get insight about the effect of urea on the overall solvation dynamics feature. It has been observed that with the increase in urea concentration, the overall dynamics becomes slower, and it infers the presence of few water or urea molecules, those strongly associated with surrounding urea and (or) water by hydrogen bonds.     

Ground and excited state proton transfer reaction of salicylidine-3,4,7-methyl amine in micelles

The effect of neutral, cationic and anionic micellar environments on the ground and excited state proton transfer reactions of salicylidine-3,4,7-methyl amine (SMA) in water has been studied by steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. In the ground state, the formation of the primary form of SMA is enhanced at the expense of the zwitterionic species due to micellization. In the excited state, anion formation decreases both in the presence of Triton-X and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). However, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), the anionic emission increases after reaching a certain micellar concentration. The lifetime of the anion is significantly reduced in CTAB compared to that in the bulk water and also in the presence of Triton-X. It is proposed that the destabilization and modification of SMA anion occurs due to the different electrostatic environments produced by micellization.     

Novel fluorescent probe as aggregation predictor and micro-polarity reporter for micelles and mixed micelles

Aggregational behaviour of micelles sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS and Triton X-100, TX-100 both in pure and mixed form) and micelle like aggregates such as polymer-surfactant system [polymer poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVP]-SDS have been studied by using fluorescence characteristics of a newly synthesized probe. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values determined at various surfactant compositions are lower than the ideal values indicating a synergistic effect. The value of the interaction parameter for the surfactant mixture has been determined which agrees well with the value calculated according to molecular thermodynamic theory. The total aggregation number of surfactant in mixed micelle shows a drastic variation in the SDS mole fraction range 0 < or = alpha1 < or = 0.3 and beyond the range it remains practically constant. Molar-based partition coefficients for the dye between the micellar and aqueous phase have been determined and a non-linear variation is obtained for the mixed micellar system. Variations of micro-polarity in the mixed micellar region have been investigated as a function of surfactant composition and results have been explained in terms of a suitable realistic model.     

Fluorescence quenching of naphthols by Cu2+ in micelles

Effect of the micelles of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants on the fluorescence quenching of 1- and 2-naphthols has been studied in the presence of copper ion. The excited state lifetime, dynamic and static quenching constants for these systems have been determined. Fluorescence quenching in water and SDS micelle is due to the collision of the fluorophore with the quencher with a small static component. The negatively charged naphtholate ions in the excited state are quenched with significantly higher rates than the neutral naphthol molecules, which are located further inside the mesophase. CTAB micelle is less effective than the SDS micelle for fluorescence quenching. The effect of CTAB on water-assisted excited-state deprotonation has been investigated in the presence of ZnSO₄. For TX-100 micelle there is negligible quenching even at higher concentration of the quencher.     

A new pyrene-based fluorescent probe for the determination of critical micelle concentrations

A new pyrene-based fluorescent probe for the determination of critical micelle concentrations (CMC) is described. The title compound 1 is obtained in five steps, starting from pyrene. Fluorescence spectroscopic properties of 1 are studied in homogeneous organic solvents and aqueous micellar solutions. In a wide range of organic solvents, probe 1 exhibits a characteristic monomer emission of the pyrene fluorophore, with three distinct peak maxima at 382, 404, and 425 nm. The spectra change dramatically in aqueous solution, where no monomer emission of the pyrene fluorophore is detected. Instead, only strong excimer fluorescence with a broad, red-shifted emission band at lambda(max) = 465 nm is observed. In micellar aqueous solution, a superposition of the monomer and excimer emission is found. The appearance of the monomer emission in micellar solution can be explained on the basis of solubilization of 1 by the surfactant micelles. The ratio of the monomer to excimer fluorescence intensities of 1 is highly sensitive to changes in surfactant concentration. This renders 1 a versatile and sensitive probe molecule for studying the micellization of ionic and nonionic surfactants. For a representative selection of common surfactants, the critical micelle concentrations in aqueous solution are determined, showing excellent agreement with established literature data.