Medium effects on fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes for coumarin laser dyes

Fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of coumarin dyes are sharply reduced in polar solvents if amine substituent groups are free to rotate. The polar solvent effect is interpreted in terms of relaxation of excited dye from an initial planar conformation to a twisted zwitterionic state.     

铝试剂的荧光光谱与荧光量子产率

首次研究了铝试剂的荧光光谱和荧光量子产率,发现pH3至pH12条件下,用紫外光照射铝试剂溶液可以产生荧光,最大激发波长和最大发射波长分别为297nm和409nm,荧光强度与铝试剂浓度之间存在良好的线性关系,线性范围为0.01～3μg/mL,检测下限为0.01μg/mL,以硫酸奎宁为参比,测得铝试剂的荧光量子产率为0.16。     

Fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yields of rhodamine derivatives: new insights from theory and experiment

Although lifetimes and quantum yields of widely used fluorophores are often largely characterized, a systematic approach providing a rationale of their photophysical behavior on a quantitative basis is still a challenging goal. Here we combine methods rooted in the time-dependent density functional theory and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to accurately determine and analyze fluorescence signatures (lifetime, quantum yield, and band peaks) of several commonly used rhodamine and pyronin dyes. We show that the radiative lifetime of rhodamines can be correlated to the charge transfer from the phenyl toward the xanthene moiety occurring upon the S(0) ← S(1) de-excitation, and to the xanthene/phenyl relative orientation assumed in the S(1) minimum structure, which in turn is variable upon the amino and the phenyl substituents. These findings encourage the synergy of experiment and theory as unique tool to design finely tuned fluorescent probes, such those conceived for modern optical sensors.     

Fluorescence lifetimes and relative quantum yields of 9,10-diphenylanthracene in dilute solutions of cyclohexane and benzene

The lifetimes of 9,10-diphenylanthracene in dilute solutions of cyclohexane and benzene at 25°C have been found to be 7.58 ± 0.04 and 6.95 ± 0.04 ns respectively. Measurements of the relative quantum yields show that the dependence on the solvent is caused by an increased probability for non-radiative decay in benzene compared with cyclohexane. This behaviour is shown to partly reconcile previous conflicting data on the radiative properties of this molecule.     

Fluorescence quantum yields and their relation to lifetimes of rhodamine 6G and fluorescein in nine solvents: improved absolute standards for quantum yields

Absolute fluorescence quantum yields are reported for the rhodamine 6G cation and the fluorescein dianion dyes in nine solvents. This information is combined with previously reported fluorescence lifetimes to deduce radiative and nonradiative decay rates. Along the alcohol series from methanol to octanol, rhodamine 6G displays an increasing radiative rate, in parallel with the square of the refractive index increase, and a slightly decreasing nonradiative rate. Fluorescein is different: the apparent radiative rate actually decreases, suggesting that the emissive species is perturbed in some fashion. For both dyes, fluorescence yields are enhanced in D2O, rising to 0.98, in parallel with a corresponding increase in lifetimes. Protonated solvents invariably give shorter lifetimes and lower quantum yields, contrary to some previous speculation. From this work and an analysis of existing literature values, more precise values have been obtained for two previously proposed absolute quantum yield standards. The yield of fluorescein in 0.1 N NaOH(aq) is 0.925+/-0.015, and for rhodamine 6G in ethanol, it is 0.950+/-0.015. In both cases, the solutions are assumed to be in the limit of low concentration, excited close to their long-wave absorption band and at room temperature but may be either air-saturated or free of oxygen.     

Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of chalcone ketyl radical anions

Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes have been measured at 77 K for the chalcone ketyl radical anion, and its hydroxy and methoxy derivatives. The radical anions were produced by γ-irradiation of sample molecules at 77 K in alkaline polyvinyl alcohol films and in EPA rigid glasses with sec-butylamine, followed by thermal bleaching (annihilation reactions of various unstable species at an elevated temperature). Fluorescence lifetimes of these radical anions (1.6–3.1 ns) were only slightly shorter than those of the corresponding ketyl radicals (3.1–5.5 ns).     

Photophysics on surfaces: determination of absolute fluorescence quantum yields from reflectance spectra

A method for the calculation of absolute fluorescence quantum yields for dyes attached to solid particles based on reflectance measurements is reported. The same procedure allows calculation of true reflectance spectra (free of fluorescence) for highly fluorescent materials as well. Samples ofcresyl violet were immobilized by adsorption on microgranular cellulose in the concentration range 4.5 x 10(-9) to 3.8 x 10(-6) mol g(-1). Diffuse and total reflectance spectra were recorded with and without insertion of an optical absorption filter between the output of the integrating sphere of a reflectance spectrometer and the photodetector in order to block fluorescence partially. From these data, the relative emission spectrum of the dye, the filter transmission spectrum, and the detector sensitivity, true reflectances and absolute fluorescence quantum yields were recovered. Observed fluorescence quantum yields, affected by dye aggregation and inner filter effects, were concentration and wavelength dependent, ranging approximately between 0.1 and 0.6. The analysis of remission function spectra showed that dye aggregation is negligible up to a concentration of 1.41 x 10(-7) mol g(-1). Fluorescence data were corrected for reemission and reabsorption using a suitable model [Lagorio, M. G.; Dicelio, L. E.; Litter, M. I.; San Roman, E. J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1998, 94, 419]. Application of this model to samples showing no aggregation yielded a wavelength-independent true fluorescence quantum yield of 0.60 +/- 0.05, similar to values found in solution. The usage of cresyl violet as a reference for the evaluation of fluorescence quantum yields for weakly fluorescing samples in the solid phase is discussed.     

Photophysics of protoporphyrin ions in vacuo: triplet-state lifetimes and quantum yields

Lifetimes of triplet-state molecules and triplet quantum yields are important parameters in photobiology as they determine the generation of singlet-oxygen upon irradiation with visible light. Here we report lifetimes of protoporphyrin IX (pp) in vacuo measured in an ion storage ring. We find that after 532 nm photon absorption, pp(-) (free base and negatively charged carboxylate) and pp(+) (single protonation of ring nitrogen) have triplet-state lifetimes of 12 and 6 ms, respectively. After 415 or 390 nm absorption the lifetime of the anion is shorter (1.5 and 0.6 ms) as expected from the increase in temperature. Triplet quantum yields of pp(-) and pp(+) are similar, 0.6-0.7, close to values reported for the free base and monocation in solution. The other channel, direct decay to the electronic ground state and subsequent dissociation of vibrationally excited ions, is much faster than triplet-singlet intersystem crossing. We measured lifetimes of 63 micros, 96 micros, and 0.3 ms after 390, 415, and 532 nm excitation, respectively. A fit of a statistical model to the pp(-) decay results in an Arrhenius activation energy of 0.5+/-0.2 eV for CO(2) loss and a low preexponential factor (10(6)-10(10) s(-1)), indicative of an entropic barrier.     

Vibrational spectra of cis- and trans-1,2-dimethyl-3-bromocyclopropane

The infrared and Raman spectra of cis- and trans-dimethylbromocyclopropane have been recorded from 4000 to 50 cm⁻¹. An assignment of the majority of the fundamentals is proposed and compared to those of related molecules. Definite and consistent trends in a number of normal modes of the ring and the methyl groups with the nature, position and number of the substituents have been found. Clear evidence has been obtained for steric interaction between the three substituents in cis-position.     

Vibrational spectra and structure of cis- and trans-1,2- dimethoxyethylenes

The vapor, liquid and CCl₄ solution infrared spectra of cis- and trans-1,2-dimethoxyethylene were recorded in the region 250–4000 cm^?1. The laser-Raman spectra were obtained in the liquid state only. The vibrational spectra show that at least two rotational isomers exist for each molecule. Further, the spectra indicate that for both the cis- and trans molecules, one of the rotational isomers has at least one planar conformer. Some vibrational assignments are made for the observed infrared and Raman bands of the cis- and trans- 1,2-dimethoxyethylenes.     

Evidence for covalent binding of epicocconone with proteins from synchronous fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetimes

Synchronous fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic studies that reveal the interaction of epicocconone with human serum albumin is significantly different from its interaction with surfactant assemblies. This observation, along with steady-state fluorescence data, indicates ground-state interaction between the fluorophore epicocconone and the protein. Similarity in fluorescence properties with the adduct of the fluorophore with n-butylamine indicates that bonding occurs at the N-terminus of the protein.     

Fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of fluorobenzene cations in selected levels of their B̃ and C̃ states determined by photoelectron-photon coincidence spectroscopy

Fluorescence quantum yields and cascade-free lifetimes of eleven fluorobenzene cations with selected energies within their B? and C? states have been determined. This was accomplished by measurement of coincidences between energy selected photoelectrons and undispersed emitted photons following ionisation with He(Iα) photons. The wavelength region of the photons emitted on formation of same of these cations in the C? states is the same as from their B? states. It is concluded that the C??B? radiationless step and fast vibrational redistribution precedes the B?→Ã, X? radiative relaxation. The radiative and non-radiative rate constants were derived directly from the measured values. The non-radiative decay rate, corresponding to the internal conversion process, is found to increase exponentially as a function of the internal excess energy within the B? and C? states and shows that there are no initial state memory effects. The nature of the accepting modes is discussed in view of the results on some of the deuterated species.     

Energy transfer method for determination of absolute fluorescence quantum yields

A new method for the determination of absolute fluorescence quantum yields based on simple relative measurements is described. This energy transfer method is particularly suited for studies of dyes in systems of monomolecular layers. The application of the new method to an investigation of the deactivation of excited thiacyanine dye molecules in monolayers gave evidence for radiationless deactivation processes other than thermal equilibration occurring in higher vibronic levels of the excited singlet state.     

Controlling the fluorescence quantum yields of benzothiazole-difluoroborates by optimal substitution

Precise tuning of the fluorescence quantum yield, vital for countless applications of fluorophores, remains exceptionally challenging due to numerous factors affecting energy dissipation phenomena often leading to its counterintuitive behavior. In contrast to the absorption and emission wavelength which can be precisely shifted to the desired range by simple structural changes, no general strategy exists for controllable modification of the fluorescence quantum yield. The rigidification of the molecular skeleton is known to usually enhance the emission and can be practically realized via the limiting molecular vibrations by aggregation. However, the subtle balance between the abundant possible radiative and non-radiative decay pathways makes the final picture exceptionally sophisticated. In the present study, a series of nine fluorophores obtained by peripheral substitution with two relatively mild electron donating and electron withdrawing groups are reported. The obtained fluorescence quantum yields range from dark to ultra-bright and the extreme values are obtained for the isomeric molecules. These severe changes in emission efficiency have been shown to arise from the complex relationship between the Franck–Condon excited state and conical intersection position. The experimental findings are rationalized by the advanced quantum chemical calculations delivering good correlation between the measured emission parameters and theoretical radiative and internal conversion rate constants. Therefore, the described substituent exchange provides a method to rigorously adjust the properties of molecular probes structurally similar to thioflavin T.

A full palette of FQY (form ca. 0 to 98%) was covered by exchanging two groups in a series of nine compounds. The darkest (OMe/CF₃) and brightest (CF₃/OMe) are isomers. All experimental data are supported by TD-DFT calculations.     

Investigations on the triplet decay mechanisms of 1,2-benzanthracene in solution. I. Kinetics and quantum yields of delayed fluorescence

Measurements of the kinetics and quantum yields of delayed fluorescence over a large range of temperature and viscosity in ethanol and in a mixture of ethanol with ethylene glycol did not yield any evidence for a long range, viscosity independent mechanism leading to triplet-triplet annihilation. In the temperature range from −140°C to −100°C in ethanol, 60% of the annihilation processes produce an excited singlet state.     

Absolute fluorescence quantum yields by relative fluorescence and photoacoustic measurements of low level luminescence quenching

A method is reported which allows absolute fluorescence quantum yields Φ_F to be obtained from relative fluorescence and non-radiative emission (photoacoustic) data. Absolute calibration procedures, external standards, and total fluorescence quenching are eliminated through use of low concentrations of a heavy atom quencher. The relative decrease in fluorescence emission and increase in non-radiative emission as a function of the quencher concentration are related to Φ_F through a set of simultaneous equations. Fluorescence quantum yields of Φ_F = 0.59 ± 0.03 for cresyl violet perchlorate in EtOH and Φ_F = 0.55 ± 0.02 for quinine sulfate in 0.1 N H₂SO₄ are reported.     

Studies of lifetimes of rotationally cooled NO2 using time-resolved fluorescence excitation spectra

A taunble, pulsed dye laser with output in the region of 5750 to 6000 Å was used to excite rotationally cooled NO₂ which was produced by expansion in conjunction with argon carrier gas through a supersonic nozzle. The resulting time-resolved fluorescence excitation spectra were used the lifetimes of various vibronic bands of NO₂ (²B₂). The lifetimes measured were in the region of 15 to 40 μs which were shorter than those obtained from cell experiments. For each individual excitation wavelength, only a single exponential decay was observed from very early times through 250 μs.     

Intensity and lifetimes of ZEKE spectra

The questions addressed in this Letter are whether the lifetime or intensity of long-lived molecular ZEKE/Rydberg states are influenced by the intensity of background ions and hence whether these background ions are mechanistically involved in the formation of ZEKE states. We performed an experiment changing the ion density which had no appreciable effect on the intensity of the ZEKE signal. ZEKE states with a lifetime of many tens of microseconds are here not changed by background ions, either in lifetime or intensity.