Dendrimers as ligands. Formation of a 2:1 luminescent complex between a dendrimer with a 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) core and Zn2+

We have investigated the formation of metal complexes between Zn2+ and two derivatives, 1 and 2, of the well-known 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) ligand. Compound 1 is 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(naphthylmethyl) cyclam, and compound 2 is a dendrimer consisting of a cyclam core with appended 12 dimethoxybenzene and 16 naphthyl units. Compound 1 exhibits an emission band with a maximum around 480 nm, assigned to the formation of exciplexes between amine and excited naphthyl units. Dendrimer 2 exhibits three types of weak emission bands, assigned to naphthyl localized excited states (lambdamax = 337 nm), naphthyl excimers (lambdamax ca. 390 nm), and naphthyl-amine exciplexes (lambdamax = 480 nm). In CH3CN-CH2Cl2 1:1 v/v, titration of ligand 1 with Zn2+ causes the disappearance of the exciplex emission and the appearance of a strong naphthyl localized fluorescence; the titration plot is linear and reaches a plateau for a 1:1 stoichiometry, showing that a highly stable [Zn(1)]2+ complex is formed. In the case of 2, titration with Zn2+ causes the disappearance of the exciplex band, with a concomitant increase in the excimer and naphthyl localized emissions; the titration plot is again linear, but in this case it reaches a plateau for a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio, showing the unexpected formation of a [Zn(2)2]2+ complex. Such an unexpected stoichiometry for the complex of the dendritic ligand has been fully confirmed by 1H NMR titrations. The results obtained show that the dendrimer branches not only do not hinder, but in fact favor coordination of cyclam to Zn2+.     

Dendrimers with a cyclam core. Absorption spectra, multiple luminescence, and effect of protonation

We have synthesized two dendrimers (4 and 5) consisting of a 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) core appended with four dimethoxybenzene and eight naphthyl units (4) and 12 dimethoxybenzene and 16 naphthyl units (5). The absorption and luminescence spectra of these compounds and the changes taking place upon protonation of their cyclam core have been investigated. In acetonitrile-dichloromethane 1:1 v/v solution they exhibit three types of emission bands, assigned to naphthyl localized excited states (λ_max=337 nm), naphthyl excimers (λ_max ca 390 nm), and naphthyl-amine exciplexes (λ_max=480 nm). The tetraamine cyclam core undergoes only two protonation reactions, whose constants have been obtained by fitting the spectral changes. Protonation not only prevents exciplex formation for electronic reasons, but also causes strong nuclear rearrangements in the cyclam structure which affect excimer formation between the peripheral naphthyl units of the dendrimers.     

Dendrimers as ligands: an investigation into the stability and kinetics of Zn2+ complexation by dendrimers with 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) cores

We have investigated the complexation of Zn(2+) with 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(naphthylmethyl) cyclam (1; cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) and with two dendrimers consisting of a cyclam core with four dimethoxybenzene and eight naphthyl appendages (2), and twelve dimethoxybenzene and sixteen naphthyl appendages (3). An important, common feature of model compound 1 and dendrimers 2 and 3 is that their potentially fluorescent naphthyl units are quenched by exciplex formation with the cyclam nitrogen atoms. Complexation with Zn(2+), however, prevents exciplex formation and results in the appearance of an intense naphthyl fluorescence signal that can be used for monitoring the complexation process. Luminescence titration, together with competition experiments and (1)H NMR titration, have shown that 1:1 and 1:2 (metal/ligand) complexes are formed in the cases of 2 and 3, whereas model compound 1 gives only a 1:1 complex. We have also investigated the 1:1 complexation kinetics by the stopped-flow technique. In the case of 1, a second-order process (k(1)=44x10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) is followed by two consecutive first-order steps (k(2)=0.53 s(-1) and k(3)=0.10 s(-1)). For 2, a slower second-order process (k(1)=4.9x10(5) M(-1) s(-1)) is followed by a slow first-order step (k(2)=0.40 s(-1)). In the case of 3, only a very slow second-order process was observed (k(1)=1.2x10(5) M(-1) s(-1)). The different metal-ion incorporation rates for model compound 1 and dendrimers 2 and 3 have been discussed in terms of conformational changes of the dendron subunits affecting the chelating properties of the cyclam core. This work reports the first kinetic study on metal-ion coordination by dendrimers with a well-defined coordination site.     

A cyclam core dendrimer containing dansyl and oligoethylene glycol chains in the branches: protonation and metal coordination

We have synthesized a dendrimer (1) consisting of a 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) core, appended with four benzyl substituents that carry, in the 3- and 5-positions, a dansyl amide derivative (of type 2), in which the amide hydrogen is replaced by a benzyl unit that carries an oligoethylene glycol chain in the 3- and 5-positions. All together, the dendrimer contains 16 potentially luminescent moieties (eight dansyl- and eight dimethoxybenzene-type units) and three distinct types of multivalent sites that, in principle, can be protonated or coordinated to metal ions (the cyclam nitrogen atoms, the amine moieties of the eight dansyl units, and the 16 oligoethylene glycol chains). We have studied the absorption and luminescence properties of 1, 2, and 3 in acetonitrile and the changes taking place upon titration with acid and a variety of divalent (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+), and trivalent (Nd3+, Eu3+, Gd3+) metal ions as triflate and/or nitrate salts. The results obtained show that: 1) double protonation of the cyclam ring takes place before protonation of the dansyl units; 2) the oligoethylene glycol chains do not interfere with protonation of the cyclam core and the dansyl units in the ground state, but affect the luminescence of the protonated dansyl units; 3) the first equivalent of metal ion is coordinated by the cyclam core; 4) the interaction of the resulting cyclam complex with the appended dansyl units depends on the nature of the metal ion; 5) coordination of metal ions by the dansyl units follows at high metal-ion concentrations; 6) the effect of the metal ion depends on the nature of the counterion. This example demonstrates that dendrimers may exhibit complete functionality resulting from the integration of the specific properties of their component units.     

Trivalent lanthanide metal ions promote formation of stacking G-quartets

We report the first examples of stacking G-quartet formation assisted by trivalent lanthanide metal ions (La3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Tm3+).     

Photodynamic properties of hypocrellin A, complexes with rare Earth trivalent ions: role of the excited state energies of the metal ions

Fifteen complexes of hypocrellin A (HA) with rare earth trivalent ions (except Pm3+) along with the complex of HA with Sc3+ were prepared, and their photodynamic activities, including absorption in the phototherapeutic window (600-900 nm); water-solubility; triplet lifetime; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion radical (O2-*), and hydroxyl radical (OH*); generation of semiquinone anion radical; and affinity to DNA, as well as photosensitized damage on calf thymus DNA (CT DNA), were compared in detail using the UV-visible spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, spin-trapping EPR technique, and laser photolysis technique. All complexes exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum, an increased absorbance above 600 nm, improved water solubility, and an enhanced affinity to CT DNA over the parent HA. For ions that possess low-energy excited states, including Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, and Yb3+, the corresponding complexes show undetectable or nearly undetectable fluorescence, a triplet excited-state lifetime, generation of ROS, and photodamage in CT DNA. In contrast, for ions that do not possess low-energy excited states, including Sc3+, Y3+, La3+, Gd3+, and Lu3+, the corresponding complexes exhibit higher photodamage abilities with CT DNA with respect to HA, benefitting from both their comparable or even higher 1O2 quantum yields and an electrostatic affinity that is higher for DNA than HA.     

γ-[SiW10O36]8-夹心型稀土元素单取代多酸化合物的合成与表征

利用缺位填充法合成了12个γ-[SiW10O36]8-夹心型稀土元素单取代多酸化合物K13[Ln(SiW10O36)2]·nH2O(Ln=La3+,Ce3+,Pr3+,Nd3+,Sm3+,Eu3+,Gd3+,Tb3+,Dy3+,Ho3+,Er3+,Yb3+).通过元素分析确定其组成,由红外光谱、紫外-可见吸收光谱、循环伏安及室温磁化率测定结果确认稀土离子与γ-[SiW10O36]8-相配位;183WNMR及荧光光谱结果则表明,稀土离子处于2个γ-[SiW10O36]8-构成的八配位环境中,标题化合物具有夹心型D2d对称性结构.     

Proton-driven self-assembled systems based on cyclam-cored dendrimers and [Ru(bpy)(CN)4]2-

1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam), which is one of the most extensively investigated ligands in coordination chemistry, in its protonated forms, can play the role of host toward cyanide metal complexes. We have investigated the acid-driven adducts formed in acetonitrile-dichloromethane (1:1 v/v) solution by [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-) with 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(naphthylmethyl)cyclam (1) and a dendrimer consisting of a cyclam core appended with 12 dimethoxybenzene and 16 naphthyl units (2). [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-), 1, and 2 exhibit characteristic absorption and emission bands, in distinct spectral regions, that are strongly affected by addition of acid. When a solution containing equimolar amounts of [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-) and 1 or 2 is titrated by trifluoroacetic acid, or when [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-) is titrated with (1.2H)2+ or (2.2H)2+, [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-).(2H+).1] or [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-).(2H+).2] adducts are formed in which the fluorescence of the naphthyl units is strongly quenched by very efficient energy transfer to the metal complex, as shown by the sensitized luminescence of the latter. The [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4]2-.(2H+).1] and [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-).(2H+).2] adducts can be disrupted (i) by addition of a base (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), yielding the starting species [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-) and 1 or 2, or (ii) by further addition of triflic acid, with formation of (1.2H)2+ or (2.2H)2+ and protonated forms of [Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-). It is shown that upon stimulation with two chemical inputs (acid and base) both [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-).(2H+).1] and [[Ru(bpy)(CN)4](2-).(2H+).2] exhibit two distinct optical outputs (a naphthalene-based and a Ru(bpy)-based emission) that behave according to an XOR and an XNOR logic, respectively.     

Designing systems for a multiple use of light signals.

The photochemical and photophysical behavior of two dendrimers consisting of a benzophenone core and branches that contain dimethoxybenzene units has been investigated. Such dendrimers can undergo a variety of photochemical and photophysical processes, namely: 1) quenching of the fluorescence and phosphorescence of the dimethoxybenzene units by energy transfer to the benzophenone core (antenna effect), 2) direct and sensitized phosphorescence (and delayed fluorescence) of the benzophenone core, 3) hydrogen abstraction by the triplet excited state of the benzophenone core from solvent molecules, 4) intramolecular hydrogen abstraction by the triplet excited state of the benzophenone core from the dendrimer branches, 5) quenching of the phosphorescence and hydrogen abstraction reaction of the benzophenone core by energy transfer to terbium ions and dioxygen; 6) conversion of the UV light absorbed by the dendrimer branches into visible (Tb3+) or near infrared (O2) emission via the sequence of processes 1) and 5). The results obtained emphasize the great potential of suitably designed dendrimers for a multiple use of light signals.     

Luminescent lanthanide ions hosted in a fluorescent polylysin dendrimer. Antenna-like sensitization of visible and near-infrared emission

We have investigated the complexation of the luminescent Nd(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), Tb(3+), Er(3+), and Yb(3+) ions by a polylysin dendrimer containing 21 amide groups in the interior and, in the periphery, 24 chromophoric dansyl units which show an intense fluorescence band in the visible region. Most of the experiments were performed in 5:1 acetonitrile/dichloromethane solution at 298 K. On addition of the lanthanide ions to dendrimer solutions, the fluorescence of the dansyl units is quenched; in Nd(3+), Er(3+), and Yb(3+), a sensitized near-infrared emission of the lanthanide ion is observed. At low metal ion concentrations, each dendrimer hosts only one metal ion and when the hosted metal ion is Nd(3+) or Eu(3+), the fluorescence of all the 24 dansyl units of the dendrimer is quenched with unitary efficiency. Quantitative measurements were performed in a variety of experimental conditions, including protonation of the dansyl units and measurements in rigid matrix at 77 K where a sensitized Eu(3+) emission could also be observed. The results obtained have been interpreted on the basis of the energy levels and redox potentials of dendrimer and metal ions.     

稀土有机配合物电致发光研究进展

稀土配合物发射带窄, 发射光谱具有类原子光谱性质, 色纯度高(半宽峰<10 nm), 非常适合于全彩色显示. 另外, 稀土配合物发光效率高, 理论上内量子效率可达100%. 因此, 稀土配合物是全色平板显示器件中理想的发光材料之一, 研究稀土配合物电致发光性质具有重要的实际意义和理论意义. 以稀土镧系离子配合物作为发光中心的电致发光器件的研究主要集中于发光效率比较高的Eu3+, Tb3+ 以及近红外的Nd3+, Yb3+和Er3+ 离子. 分类综述了近年稀土配合物电致发光研究的成果及其进展. 总结了不同类型的铕配合物、铽配合物的电致发光特性, 证明配体对于稀土离子的敏化作用非常重要; 总结了近红外的镱、钕、铒配合物在光放大、激光技术、生物医学等方面的潜在应用价值.     

Preparation, characterization and luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes with a new aryl amide bridging ligand

A new aryl amide type bridging ligand 1,4-bis{[(2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxyl]ethoxyl}benzene (L) and its complexes with lanthanide ions (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and electronic spectra. At the same time, the luminescent properties of the Sm, Eu, Tb and Dy complexes in solid state and the Tb complex in solvents were also investigated. At room temperature, these four complexes exhibited characteristic luminescence emissions of the central metal ions under UV light excitation and could be significant in the field of supramolecular photonic devices.     

Coordination polymers based on inorganic lanthanide(II) sulfate skeletons and an organic isonicotinate N-oxide connector: segregation into three structural types by the lanthanide contraction effect

Fourteen three-dimensional coordination polymers of general formula [Ln(lNO)(H2O)(SO4)]n, where Ln = La, 1.La; Ce, 2.Ce; Pr, 3.Pr; Nd, 4.Nd; Sm, 5.Sm; Eu, 6.Eu; Gd, 7.Gd; Tb, 8.Tb; Dy, 9.Dy; Ho, 10.Ho; Er. 11.Er; Tm, 12.Tm; Yb, 13.Yb; and Lu, 14.Lu; INO = isonicotinate-N-oxide, have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of Ln3+, MnCO3, MnSO4 x H2O, and isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HINO) at 155 degrees C and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, thermal analysis, luminescence spectroscopy, and the magnetic measurement. The structures are formed by connection of layer, chain, or dimer of Ln-SO4 by the organic connector, INO. They belong to three structural types that are governed exclusively by the size of the ions: type I for the large ions, La, Ce, and Pr; type II for the medium ions, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Tb; and type III for the small ions, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. Type I consists of two-dimensional undulate Ln-sulfate layers pillared by INO to form a three-dimensional network. Type II has a 2-fold interpenetration of "3D herringbone" networks, in which the catenation is sustained by extensive pi-pi interactions and O-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Type III comprises one-dimensional chains that are connected by INO bridges, resulting in an alpha-Po network. The progressive structural change is due to the metal coordination number decreasing from nine for the large ions via eight to seven for the small ions, demonstrating clearly the effect of lanthanide contraction. The sulfate ion acts as a micro4- or micro3-bridge, connecting two, three, or four metals, and is both mono- and bidentate. The INO ligand acts as a micro3- or micro2-bridge with carboxylate group in syn-syn bridging or bidentate chelating mode. The materials show considerably high thermal stability. The magnetic properties of 4.Nd, 6.Eu, 7.Gd, and 13.Yb and the luminescence properties of 6.Eu and 8.Tb are also investigated.     

Study of lanthanide complexes with salicylic acid by photoacoustic and fluorescence spectroscopy

Solid complexes Ln(Sal)3.H2O (Sal: salicylic acid; Ln: La3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+) are synthesized, and their photoacoustic (PA) spectra in the UV-Vis region have been recorded. PA intensities of central lanthanide ions are interpreted in terms of the probability of nonradiative transitions. It is found that PA intensity of the ligand increases in the order of Tb(Sal)3.H2O < La(Sal3).H2O < Eu(Sal)3.H2O < Nd(Sal)3.H2O. Different PA intensities of the ligand are interpreted by comparison with the fluorescence spectra. Ternary complexes Eu(Sal)3Phen and Tb(Sal)3Phen (Phen: 1,10-phenanthroline) are synthesized. Compared with their binary complexes, PA intensity of the ligand Sal decreases for Eu(Sal)3Phen, while the reverse is true for that of Tb(Sal)3Phen. The luminescence of Eu3+ increases remarkably when Phen is introduced, and luminescence of Tb3+ decreases greatly when Phen is added. The intramolecular energy transfer and relaxation processes in the complexes are discussed from two aspects: radiative and nonradiative relaxations.     

聚丙烯接枝丙烯酸(PP-g-AA)对稀土离子吸附反应的研究

通过聚丙烯电子束预辐照接枝丙烯酸得到PP g AA ,对PP g AA在弱酸性溶液中对稀土离子的吸附规律进行了考察 ,测定了PP g AA对 1 1种稀土离子的吸附速率常数k及吸附量Q ,观察了在PP g AA吸附稀土离子反应中 ,可能存在的“斜W效应”和“四分组效应” .     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of new chromium(III) complexes of N-derivatized 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane ligands cis-[Cr(1,8-R(2)cyclam)Cl(2)]Cl,where R is a pendant chromophore. exclusive formation of the cis isomer

Several new chromium(III) complexes have been synthesized utilizing derivatives of the macrocyclic ligand cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) with various N-substituted chromophores in the 1 and 8 positions (1,8-R(2)cyclam) where R = CH(3), CH(2)Ph, CH(2)Nph (Nph = naphthyl), and CH(2)Anth (Anth = anthracyl). X-ray crystal structures were determined for all four complexes, and these are formed exclusively in the cis configuration with the two tertiary amines in the "hinge" positions (i.e., along the folding axis) of the coordinated ligand. As a result, the cis isomers appear to be inert to isomerization under conditions dramatically more forcing than needed to effect the cis to trans isomerization of the unsubstituted Cr(cyclam)Cl(2)(+) ion. Photophysical studies demonstrated that emission occurs solely from the metal-centered ligand field doublet excited states regardless of whether initial excitation is into the quartet ligand field bands or into the pi-pi bands of the pendant chromophore. Thus, excitation of the pendant chromophore results in efficient intramolecular energy transfer to the metal centered ligand field excited states.     

Cyclam‐Cored Dendrimers Appended with Four Dendrons of Two Different Types: Intradendrimer Energy Transfer

We have synthesized two cyclam‐cored dendrimers appended with dendrons of two different types by proper protection/deprotection of the cyclam unit. The resulting dendrimers contain six naphthyl and two dansyl units ( N6 D2 ) or two dansyl and six naphthyl units ( N2 D6 ) at the periphery. Their photophysical properties have been compared to those of a dendrimer containing 8 dansyl units ( D8 ) and a previously investigated dendrimer containing 8 naphthyl units ( N8 ). The absorption spectra are those expected on the basis of the number of chromophores, demonstrating that no ground state interaction takes place. The emission spectra of N2 D6 and N6 D2 show naphthalene localized and naphthalene excimer emission similar to those observed in the case of N8 , together with a much stronger dansyl emission with maximum at 525 nm. Addition of CF₃SO₃H to dendrimer solutions in CH₃CN/CH₂Cl₂ 1:1 (v/v) leads to protonation of the aliphatic amine units of the cyclam core at first and then of the aromatic amine of each dansyl chromophores. Cyclam can be diprotonated and this affects dansyl absorption and, most significantly, emission bands by a charge perturbation effect. Each dansyl unit is independently protonated in both dendrimers. The most interesting photophysical feature of these heterofunctionalized cyclam‐cored dendrimers is the occurrence of an intradendrimer photoinduced energy transfer from naphthyl to dansyl chromophores of two different dendrons (interdendron mechanism). The efficiency of this process is 50 % for N6 D2 and it can be increased up to 75 % upon protonation of the cyclam core and formation of N6 D2 (2H⁺). This arises from the fact that protonation of the amine units of the cyclam prevents formation of exciplexes upon naphthyl excitation, thus shutting down one of the deactivation processes of the fluorescent naphthyl excited state.     

Supramolecular coordination chemistry in aqueous solution: lanthanide ion-induced triple helix formation

The self-assembly of dinuclear triple helical lanthanide ion complexes (helicates), in aqueous solution, is investigated utilizing laser-induced, lanthanide luminescence spectroscopy. A series of dinuclear lanthanide (III) helicates (Ln(III)) based on 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (dipicolinic acid, dpa) coordinating units was synthesized by linking two dpa moieties using the organic diamines (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane (chxn-R,R) and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (dpm). Luminescence excitation spectroscopy of the Eu3+ 7F0-->5D0 transition shows the apparent cooperative formation of neutral triple helical complexes in aqueous solution, with a [Eu2L3] stoichiometry. Eu3+ excitation peak wavelengths and excited-state lifetimes correspond to those of the [Eu(dpa)3]3- model complex. CD studies of the Nd(III) helicate Nd2(dpa-chxn-R,R)3 reveal optical activity of the f-f transitions, indicating that the chiral linking group induces a stable chirality at the metal ion center. Molecular mechanics calculations using CHARMm suggest that the delta delta configuration at the Nd3+ ion centers is induced by the chxn-R,R linker. Stability constants were determined for both ligands with Eu3+, yielding identical results: log K = 31.6 +/- 0.2 (K in units of M-4). Metal-metal distances calculated from Eu3+-->Nd3+ energy-transfer experiments show that the complexes have metal-metal distances close to those calculated by molecular modeling. The fine structure in the Tb3+ emission bands is consistent with the approximate D3 symmetry as anticipated for helicates.     

Ground and excited-state electronic interactions in poly(propylene amine) dendrimers functionalized with naphthyl units: effect of protonation and metal complexation.

We report the absorption spectra and the photophysical properties (fluorescence spectrum, quantum yield, and lifetime) of four dendrimers of the poly(propylene amine) family (POPAMs) functionalized at the periphery with naphthylsulfonamide (hereafter called naphthyl) units. Each dendrimer Gn, where n = 1 to 4 is the generation number, comprises 2n + 1 (i.e., 32 for G4) naphthyl functions in the periphery and 2n + 1--2 (i.e., 30 for G4) tertiary amine units in the branches. All the experiments have been carried out in acetonitrile solutions. Comparison with two reference compounds (N-methyl-naphthalene-2-sulfonamide, A, and N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-naphthalene-1-sulfonamide, B) has shown that the absorption spectra of the dendrimers are significantly different from those expected from the component units. Furthermore, the intense fluorescence band of the naphthyl unit (lambda max = 343 nm; phi = 0.15, tau = 8.5 ns) is strongly quenched in the dendrimers. The quenching effect increases with increasing generation and is accompanied by the appearance of a weak and broad emission tail at lower energy. Protonation of the amine units of the dendrimers by addition of CF3SO3H (triflic) acid causes a strong increase in the intensity of the naphthyl luminescence and a change in the form of the emission tail. The shapes of the titration curves depend on dendrimer generation, but in any case, the effect of the acid can be fully reversed by successive addition of a base (tributylamine). The results obtained show that in the dendrimers there are interactions (both in the ground and excited states) between naphthyl units as well as between naphthyl units and amine units of the branches; this gives rise to dimer/excimer and charge-transfer/exciplex excited states. Titration with Zn(CF3SO3)2 has the same effect as acid titration, as far as the final emission spectrum is concerned, but a much higher concentration of Zn(CF3SO3)2 has to be used and the shapes of the titration plots are very different. Titration with Co(NO3)2.6H2O causes a much smaller increase in the intensity of the naphthyl fluorescence compared with Zn(CF3SO3)2. The results obtained have shown that protonation and metal coordination can reveal the presence of ground and excited state electronic interactions in functionalized poly(propylene amine) dendrimers, and that the presence of photo-active units in the dendrimers can be useful to reveal some peculiar aspects of the protonation and metal coordination processes.     

Simple and Dendritic Cyclam Derivatives. Photophysical Properties,Effect of Protonation and Zn2+ Coordination,Preliminary Screening as Inhibitors of Tumour Cell Growth

We have synthesized two novel dendrimers (BG1 and BG2) consisting of a 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam, 1) core with appended four dimethoxybenzene and eight benzyl units (BG1) and twelve dimethoxybenzene and sixteen benzyl units (BG2). The absorption and luminescence spectra of these compounds and the changes taking place upon protonation and Zn²⁺ coordination of their cyclam core have been investigated in acetonitrile-dichloromethane 1:1 v/v solution. For comparison purposes, the absorption and luminescence spectra of 1,4,8,11-tetrabenzyl-cyclam (2), and dendrons BD1 and BD2, model compounds of the branches of BG1 and BG2 respectively, have also been studied. BD1, BD2, BG1, and BG2 exhibit the absorption and emission spectra of their 1,3-dimethoxybenzene unit, but in the two dendrimers the emission intensity is quenched by the cyclam amine groups and increases upon protonation and metal coordination. In order to test if these cyclam derivatives have an antitumour effect, we have studied their action on proliferation in the human neuroblastoma TS12 cell line. Screening experiments have shown that cell proliferation was (i) strongly reduced by the tetrabenzyl substituted cyclam 2, and (ii) unaffected by cyclam and the benzo dendrimers BG1 and BG2. Antitumour screening experiments have also been performed on the tetranaphthyl substituted cyclam 3 and the naphtho-dendrimer NG2, whose photophysical properties have been previously studied. Cell proliferation came out to be moderately reduced by 3, whereas dendrimer NG2 had no effect, similar to dendrimers BG1 and BG2.