Spectral behaviour of eosin Y in different solvents and aqueous surfactant media

Photophysical behaviour of the anionic xanthene dye, eosin Y (EY) was investigated in solvents of different polarities as well as in the presence of aqueous cationic surfactants. From the correlation between E(T)(30) and Kosower Z values of EY in different solvents, subsequent parameters for EY were determined in the presence of surfactants. A red shift, both in the absorption and emission spectra of EY, was observed with decreasing solvent polarity. Dimerisation of EY was found to be dependent on solvent polarity. Cationic surfactants retarded the process of dimerisation, which were evident from the lower dimerisation constant (K(D)) values, compared to that of in pure water. Dye-surfactant interaction constants were determined at different temperatures (298-318 K) and subsequently the thermodynamic parameters, viz., ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated using the interaction constant values. The fluorescence spectra of EY followed the same trend as in the absorption spectra, although with lesser extents. Stokes shifts were calculated and correlated with the polarity of the medium. Fluorescence of EY was initially quenched by the cationic surfactants in their pre-micellar region, which then followed a red shift with intensity enhancement. Fluorescence quenching was found to be of Stern-Volmer type where the excited state lifetime of EY remained unchanged in different surfactant media. However, the anisotropy value of EY was changed in the post micellar region of surfactants.     

TRIPLET YIELD OF MEROCYANINE 540 IN WATER IS WAVELENGTH DEPENDENT

Monomers and aggregates of Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in water are able to photoisomerize. The shape of the photoisomer absorption spectrum is very similar to that of the ground state. Triplet state of MC540 in water has been produced by energy transfer from triplet anthracene and displays a broad absorption spectrum between 600 and 700 nm. The triplet state may also be produced by direct excitation of MC540 with UV light. However, when the dye is excited by visible light, no triplet state absorbance in the red could be detected so that the triplet yield of MC540 in water seems to be excitation wavelength dependent.     

Solvent polarity induced structural changes in 2,6-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone dye

Photophysical properties of 2,6-diamino-9,10-anthraquinone (2,6-DAAQ) dye have been investigated in different solvents and solvent mixtures. The fluorescence quantum yields, fluorescence lifetimes, radiative rate constants, nonradiative rate constants and absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics show unusual deviations in the lower polarity aprotic solvents in comparison to those in other aprotic solvents of medium to higher polarities. The results indicate that the dye exists in different structural forms in the lower and in the medium to higher polarity solvents. Drawing an analogy with the results reported for other amino-substituted dyes, it is inferred that 2,6-DAAQ dye adopts a planar intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) structure in medium to higher polarity solvents, where the amino lone pairs are in good resonance with the anthraquinone pi-cloud. In the lower polarity solvents, however, the dye is inferred to exist in a nonplanar structure where the amino lone pairs are not in good resonance with the anthraquinone pi-cloud. Due to these structural differences, the dye displays significantly different photophysical behavior in the lower polarity solvents than in the other solvents of medium to higher polarities. Supportive evidence for the above structural changes has been obtained from ab initio quantum chemical calculations on the structures of the dye under different conditions. Unusual deviations in the photophysical properties of 2,6-DAAQ dye in protic solvents in comparison to those in aprotic solvents of similar polarities are attributed to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding effect involving the OH groups of the protic solvents and the quinonoid oxygens of the dye.     

Photo-induced electron transfer in surfactant solutions containing thionine dye

The mechanism of photovoltage generation in the micellar solution of nonionic surfactants incorporating thionine dye involves charge-transfer (CT) or electron donor acceptor (EDA) interaction; the dye acts as the electron acceptor and the surfactants act as the electron donors. This is well corroborated by the spectral studies of the systems. The thermodynamic and spectral properties of the complexes are presented. The photovoltage generation, the spectral shifts due to complexation, and the thermodynamic properties of the complexes are found to be well correlated.     

Merocyanine 540 Solubilized as an Ion Pair with Cationic Surfactant in Nonpolar Solvents: Spectral and Photochemical Properties

Merocyanine 540 (MC) is an anionic dye that is used to photopurge the bone marrow of leukemia cells. Under these conditions it is localized mostly in cell membranes, which may affect its photochemical reactivity. We investigated the photochemistry of MC dissolved as a hydrophobic ion pair with a hexadecyltrioctadecylammonium cation in cyclohexane, trimethylpentane and toluene as well as in propylene carbonate, CH3CN, C2H5OH and D2O. In organic solvents, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of MC were strongly red-shifted compared with aqueous solutions. The fluorescence was also more intense despite aggregation that occurred in some solvents. Aggregation strongly affects the spectral and photochemical properties of MC, especially in aliphatic hydrocarbons in which distinctive H-type aggregates are formed. Hydrophobic MC is a moderate photosensitizer of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2). The following values for 1O2 quantum yields were calculated based on 1O2 phosphorescence relative to 1O2 generation by Rose Bengal: approximately 0.12 in trimethylpenthane, approximately 0.13 in cyclohexane, 0.045 in EtOH, 0.039 in toluene, 0.007 in CH3CN and approximately 3 x 10(-4) in D2O. The H-aggregates of MC in cyclohexane and trimethylpentane are better 1O2 producers than monomeric MC. The above 1O2 quantum yields are corrected for self-quenching because MC is an efficient 1O2 quencher (17 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 in CH3CN, 6.8 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 in D2O, 5.2 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 in EtOH, and 1.4 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 in toluene). Merocyanine undergoes photodegradation, a solvent-dependent process that proceeds faster when the dye is aggregated. The initial photodegradation rate is much slower in organic solvents than in water, but photodegradation products accumulated during longer irradiation may increase the rate in most solvents. Higher photostability and better photosensitization by MC in hydrophobic nonpolar solvents suggest that the killing of leukemia cells via a photodynamic mechanism may operate mostly in cell membranes. In contrast, any cytotoxic products from photodecomposition may be important in hydrophilic cell compartments. Our data show the spectral and photochemical properties of MC in a pure hydrophobic environment.     

Photophysical studies of some dyes in aqueous solution of triton X-100

The spectral (both absorption and fluorescence) and photoelectrochemical studies of a few selective dyes, namely, anionic erythrosin B, neutral riboflavin and cationic safranin O have been carried out in aqueous solution of triton X-100, a neutral surfactant. The results show that the ionic dyes, erythrosin B and safranin O form 1:1 electron donor-acceptor (EDA) or charge-transfer (CT) complexes with triton X-100 both in the ground and excited states, whereas neutral dye riboflavin in its excited state forms 1:1 complex with triton X-100. In these complexes, the dyes act as electron acceptors whereas triton X-100 acts as an electron donor. The fluorescence spectra of erythrosin B and safranin O in presence of triton X-100 show enhancement of fluorescence intensity with red and blue shifts respectively while riboflavin shows normal quenching of fluorescence. A good correlation has been found among photovoltage generation of the systems consisting of these dyes and triton X-100, spectral shift due to complex formation and thermodynamic properties of these complexes.     

PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION OF MEROCYANINE 540 IN ARTIFICIAL BILAYERS AND NATURAL MEMBRANES: ACTION SPECTRA AND QUANTUM YIELDS

The action spectra and quantum yields for singlet oxygen (1O2) generation by merocyanine 540 (MC540) in liposomes and isolated erythrocyte membranes were obtained using electron spin resonance techniques. Oxygen consumption was measured by spin label oximetry in the presence of histidine for fully-saturated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles, mono-unsaturated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles and erythrocyte membranes. The quantum yield for the photogeneration of 1O2 by membrane-bound MC540 in aqueous buffer was determined to be 0.065 +/- 0.005, which is approx. 1/10 of the value determined for Rose Bengal under similar conditions. Using unilamellar liposomes and isolated erythrocyte membranes containing MC540 at different monomer/dimer ratios, we have observed that the action spectra of 1O2 generation closely overlap the absorption spectra of the monomeric dye in these systems. It is likely that factors which affect the monomer-dimer equilibrium of MC540 will influence the production of 1O2. These findings have important implications for the phototherapeutic efficacy of MC540.     

Aggregation and photobleaching of merocyanine 540 as probed by resonance light scattering

Merocyanine 540 (MC540) aggregation induced by adding KCl has been studied by resonance light scattering (RLS) and absorption spectrophotometry. In water, MC540 exists as H-dimers and monomers with absorption maxima at ～500 and 535 nm, respectively (these species lack RLS). Upon the introduction of the salt in concentrations below 0.15 M, the spectrum undergoes a hypochromic effect, without modification of its general shape. In addition to the hypochromic effect, a new broad RLS band emerges at ～420–460 nm, which arises from large H-aggregates of the dye. The formation of these aggregates does not manifest itself in absorption spectra. At KCl concentrations above the critical one (0.15 M), a new absorption band at ～517 nm emerges; simultaneously, a strong RLS band of a similar shape appears, which proves the formation of large supramolecular aggregates of MC540. Comparison of the spectrophotometry and RLS data shows that large aggregates of MC540 are more photolabile than dimers and monomers.     

Photophysics of representative ketocyanine dyes: dependence on molecular structure

Spectral properties of a new fluorescent ketocyanine dye have been discussed. The energy of maximum absorption/fluorescence of the dye exhibits bathochromic shift with increasing polarity of the medium. Both dipolarity-polarisability and hydrogen bond donation interaction contribute to solvation of the dye. Study of fluorescence parameters points to existence of different emitting states of the dye for aprotic and protic solvents. While the emitting state is the (1)(π, π*) state for aprotic solvents, fluorescence supposedly take place from a different emitting state involving H-bond formation in the excited state in protic solvents. Fluorescence parameters of the dye have been compared with those for a structurally similar symmetric ketocyanine dye. The faster decay of the dye relative to its symmetric counterpart has been explained as due to an increase of nonradiative decay.     

Photophysical properties of coumarin-7 dye: role of twisted intramolecular charge transfer state in high polarity protic solvents

Photophysical studies on coumarin-7 (C7) dye in different protic solvents reveal interesting changes in the properties of the dye on increasing the solvent polarity (Deltaf; Lippert-Mataga solvent polarity parameter) beyond a critical value. Up to Deltaf approximately 0.31, the photophysical properties of the dye follow good linear correlations with Deltaf. For Deltaf > approximately 0.31, however, the photophysical properties, especially the fluorescence quantum yields (Phi(f)), fluorescence lifetimes (tau(f)) and nonradiative rate constants (k(nr)), undergo large deviations from the above linearity, suggesting an unusual enhancement in the nonradiative decay rate for the excited dye in these high polarity protic solvents. The effect of temperature on the tau(f) values of the dye has also been investigated to reveal the mechanistic details of the deexcitation mechanism for the excited dye. Studies have also been carried out in deuterated solvents to understand the role of solute-solvent hydrogen bonding interactions on the photophysical properties of the dye. Observed results suggest that the fluorescence of the dye originates from the planar intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state in all the solvents studied and the deviations in the properties in high polarity solvents (Deltaf > approximately 0.31) arise due to the participation of a new deexcitation channel associated with the formation of a nonfluorescent twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state of the dye. Comparing present results with those of a homologous dye coumarin 30 (C30; Photochem. Photobiol., 2004, 80, 104), it is indicated that unlike in C30, the TICT state of the C7 dye does not experience any extra stability in protic solvents compared to that in aprotic solvents. This has been attributed to the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the NH group (in the 3-benzimidazole substituent) of the C7 dye and its carbonyl group, which renders an extra stability to the planar ICT state, making the TICT state formation relatively difficult. Qualitative potential energy diagrams have been proposed to rationalize the differences observed in the results with C7 and C30 dyes in high polarity protic solvents.     

THE PHOTOPHYSICS OF MEROCYANINE 540. A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN ETHANOL AND IN LIPOSOMES

Abstract— Absorption and fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, fluorescence quantum yields, photoisomerization quantum yields and triplet quantum yields were measured for Merocyanine 540 (MC540) in ethanol and in large unilamellar dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The major differences in the photophysics between the two media are the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield from 0.15 in ethanol to 0.6 in vesicles at 25° C, and the appearance of a second fluorescence decay with a lifetime of 1.87 ns in the latter medium. Upper and lower limits for the photoisomerization quantum yields were determined by combining the data from laser flash photolysis and optoacoustic spectroscopy. The decrease in photoisomerization quantum yield upon incorporation of the dye into the lipid bilayer by a factor 2 suggests that this process competes directly with fluorescence. The temperature dependence of the fluorescence and photoisomerization quantum yields in solution supports this model. In both media MC540 has a very low triplet quantum yield with values 0.002 > (> ø_T > 0.02 in ethanol and 0.01 > ø_T- > 0.09 in liposomes Our data are consistent with the model whereby the dye is incorporated into the lipid bilayer as a monomer with two different orientations and this model is adopted on the basis of the biexponential behaviour of the fluorescence and photoisomer decay.     

Solvatochromic behavior on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Rose Bengal dye in various solvents

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of Rose Bengal dye were studied in various solvents. It was found that solvent effects on the absorption wavelength are consistent with the solvatochromic model of Kamlet, Abboud and Taft. The solvent polarizability value pi* was found to have a linear relationship with the absorption wavelength of the dye in various solvents. Additionally, the normalized transition energy value (E(T)(N)) showed some scattering when plotted versus Deltanu(af). Density functional calculations were used to assign the absorption in the region 540-570 nm to a pi-pi* transition between the HOMO and LUMO of the anion. Experimental ground state and excited state dipole moments were calculated by using the solvatochromatic shifts of absorption and fluorescence spectra as a function of the dielectric constant (epsilon) and refractive index (n). The dipole moment for Rose Bengal was found to be 1.72 Debye in the ground state, whereas this value was 2.33 Debye in the excited state.     

Studies of solvation of ketocyanine dyes in homogeneous and heterogeneous media by UV/Vis spectroscopic method

Solvation characteristics of ketocyanine dyes (I-VI) have been investigated in pure solvents and heterogeneous media by absorption and fluorescence studies. The dyes are good reporters of solvent polarity. In protic solvents they exist as equilibrium mixtures of bare and hydrogen-bonded form in the ground state (S0), the latter being the emitting species. In aprotic solvents of low polarity association of the S1 state of the dye takes place. In aqueous micellar media the dye resides at the micelle water interface. The binding constant for dye-micelle interaction has been determined. Fluorescence data in beta-cyclodextrine solution resemble that for that neutral micellar solution indicating that the interaction between the -OH group of the heterogeneous part (micelle/cyclodextrine cavity) and the carbonyl oxygen of the dye is important in both the cases.     

Dual Solvatochromism of Neutral Red

Abstract— The effect of solvent polarity on the electronic absorption and fluorescence properties of neutral red (NR), a phenazine-based dye of biological importance has been investigated in several neat and mixed solvents. An unusual dual solvatochromic behavior has been observed that reveals the existence of two closely spaced electronic excited states in NR. In low-polarity solvents the fluorescence of the NR is mainly emitted from the localized excited state, whereas in high-polarity solvents the emission from the charge transfer state dominates. The dipole moments of the localized and charge transfer states of NR have been estimated from the solvatochromic shifts. The dipole moment of the localized excited state (4.8 D) is only slightly higher than that of the ground state (2.0 D), while that of the charge transfer state is drastically higher (17.5 D). Fluorescence quantum yields and the life-times of NR have been determined in different solvents and correlated with the solvatochromic shifts.     

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.     

Photophysics and Inverted Solvatochromism of 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)

We report absorption, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopy of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in a variety of solvents. The fluorescence quantum yields (QYs) of linear alkane solutions are similar to one another, but QY is shown to acutely decrease in other solvents with increasing polarities. The slope of the solvatochromic plot of absorption maxima is inverted from negative to positive with an increase in solvent polarity. A significant change in the frequency of carbon-carbon double bond stretching modes is not observed in Raman spectra of TCNQ in different solvents. The molar absorption coefficient is determined to calculate the oscillator strength of the absorption band. The radiative decay rate constant calculated from the oscillator strength is approximately ten times larger than that elucidated from the fluorescence lifetime and QY. These spectroscopic parameters reveal that the relaxation occurs from a Franck-Condon excited state to a distinct fluorescence emissive state with a smaller transition dipole moment.     

Revisiting the photophysical properties and excited singlet-state dipole moments of several coumarin derivatives

The solvent effects on the electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of several coumarins derivatives, containing amino, N,N-dimethyl-amino, N,N-diethyl-amino, hydroxyl, methyl, carboxyl, or halogen substituents at the positions 7, 4, or 3, were investigated in eight solvents with various polarities. The first excited singlet-state dipole moments of these coumarins were determined by various solvatochromic methods, using the theoretical ground-state dipole moments which were calculated by the AM1 method. The first excited singlet-state dipole moment values were obtained by the Bakhshiev, Kawski-Chamma-Viallet, Lippert-Mataga, and Reichardt-Dimroth equations, and were compared to the ground-state dipole moments. In all cases, the dipole moments were found to be higher in the excited singlet-state than in the ground state because of the different electron densities in both states. The red-shifts of the absorption and fluorescence emission bands, observed for most compounds upon increasing the solvent polarity, indicated that the electronic transitions were of π-π* nature.     

A novel fluorophore with dual fluorescence: local excited state and photoinduced electron-transfer-promoted charge-transfer state.

Absorption and emission spectra of 9-N,N-dimethylaniline decahydroacridinedione (DMAADD) have been studied in different solvents. The fluorescence spectra of DMAADD are found to exhibit dual emission in aprotic solvents and single emission in protic solvents. The effect of solvent polarity and viscosity on the absorption and emission spectra has also been studied. The fluorescence excitation spectra of DMAADD monitored at both the emission bands are different. The presence of two different conformation of the same molecule in the ground state has lead to two close lying excited states, local excited (LE) and charge transfer (CT), and thereby results in the dual fluorescence of the dye. A CTstate involving the N,N-dimethylaniline group and the decahy droacridinedione chromophore as donor and acceptor, respectively, has been identified as the source of the long wavelength anomalous fluorescence. The experimental studies were supported by ab initio time dependent-density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The molecule possesses photoinduced electron transfer (PET) quenching in the LE state, which is confirmed by the fluorescence lifetime and fluorescent intensity enhancement in the presence of transition metal ions.     

Ultrafast photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer in push-pull distyryl furan and benzofuran: solvent and molecular structure effect

The excited state deactivation pathways of push-pull distyryl furan and benzofuran derivatives in several organic solvents were investigated in detail by using time-resolved transient absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, with nano- and femto-second time resolution. Solvent polarity was found to play a key role in determining the efficiencies of fluorescence, intersystem crossing and internal conversion. The triplet yield gradually decreased, while the internal conversion increased upon increasing the solvent dielectric constant. However the fluorescence showed a different solvent polarity effect in the low and high solvent polarity region, with a reversal of the trend of fluorescence properties (quantum yield and lifetime). This fact points to an emitting state of a different nature (smaller and larger dipole moments) in the two cases, as also suggested by the huge fluorosolvatochromism. In fact the ultrafast spectroscopic investigation evidenced the presence of two transients characterized by peculiar spectral shapes assigned to a locally excited (LE) and a charge transfer (CT) state. In the more polar solvents the CT state was the longer lived, fluorescent one and an intramolecular charge transfer process was found to be operative and to become faster (up to ～200-250 fs) in the higher polarity media. On the contrary, distyrylfuran, which exhibits the same molecular skeleton without the push-pull character showed a similar excited state dynamics in solvents of different polarities.     

Synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines under solvent free conditions and investigation of their photo physical properties

Synthesis of five 4-aryl substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines was developed following condensation of multi component reaction strategy using yttrium triflate as a catalyst. The absorption and fluorescence properties of structurally related 4-aryl 1,4-dihydropyridines in different solvents of varied polarities was investigated. The absorption maxima of these compounds follow no order of solvent polarity and nature of substitution. The spectral characteristics are solvent and compound specific. Fluorophores with electron withdrawing group have larger fluorescence quantum yields and greater solvatochromism than the compounds with electron donating groups. Protic solvents yielded higher fluorescence quantum efficiency. The chemical shift of the proton attached to C-4 and the carbonyl stretching frequency of bis acetyl groups at 3 and 5-positions exhibited a linear relationship with Hammett's para substituent constants while no such relationship exists between the latter and electronic absorption maxima, fluorescence emission maxima, fluorescence quantum efficiency and Stokes shift.