Sensing of Micellar Microenvironment with Dual Fluorescent Probe, Triazolylpyrene (TNDMBPy)

We report a dual fluorescent triazolylpyrene ( ^TNDMB Py) as an efficient fluorescent light-up probe of various micellar microenvironments. The absorption spectra of ^TNDMB Py in an aqueous solution of varying surfactant concentration, CTAB, SDS and TX-100 showed that as the surfactant concentration was increased the absorbance increased with no shift in wavelength maxima. The increase of absorbance in each surfactant solution with increase in surfactant concentration was due to the enhanced solubilization of ^TNDMB Py in surfactant solutions. Our investigations based on steady state and time resolved fluorescence techniques showed that the probe reports the microenvironment of ionic surfactant solutions (CTAB and SDS) via dual emission (LE and ICT) at low surfactant concentration. The ICT band showed a blue shifting pattern with enhanced intensity that disappeared as the concentration of surfactant increases (> 1 mM for CTAB and > 3 mM for SDS). In non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) solution, the fluorophore showed dual emission with dominant ICT behaviour over LE emission at low concentration (up to 0.35 mM). In reverse micelle we observed a blue shifted ICT band with no LE band with increasing molar concentration of water. We found 100 nm blue shifting when we moved from R?=?0 to R?=?7, where R is the molar ratio of water to TX-100 (R?=?[H2O]/[TX-100]). The blue shifting of ICT band is because of the movement of the probe from hydrophilic core to hydrophobic core (surface) of the reverse micelle. Thus from the steady-state fluorescence study it was observed that the ICT band of the probe, ^TNDMB Py was more influenced by the micellar environment in comparison to the LE band. This difference in behaviour of the fluorophore is probably because of varying extent of hydrophobic/hydrogen bonding interactions experienced by the probe and its relative disposition inside the various micellar nanocores.      

Spectral Properties of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Nonionic Surfactants and 1‐Bromonaphthalene

Abstract

Steady‐state fluorescence and phosphorescence of inclusion complexes of cyclodextrins (CDs) with fluorescent nonionic surfactant and 1‐bromonaphthalene (BN) are described in detail. The inclusion of the hydrophobic moiety of surfactants inside the cavity of CDs led to enhanced monomer‐like fluorescence with a bathochromic shift of λ_ex and a hypsochromic shift of λ_em. ¹H‐NMR provides additional evidence for deep inclusion of the hydrophobic moiety of surfactants. BN can squeeze into more hydrophobic cavity of β‐CD that has accommodated the hydrophobic moiety of a surfactant and show its phosphorescence and remarkable quenching effect on the fluorescence of a surfactant in aerated aqueous solution. Stern–Volmer quenching depends on the inclusion of the phenyl rings of surfactants and BN into the cavity of CDs. Comparison of molecular sizes reveals that further inclusion of BN into the cavity of β‐CD occupied by a surfactant may force the flexible octyl group of a surfactant to deform to a greater extent, and close‐packing complexes were obtained. In the case of heptakis(2,6‐di‐O‐methyl)‐β‐CD, BN only binds to its cavity opening due to the steric hindrance of methyl substituents at the rim of its cavity.     

Synthesis,physicochemical, and biological activities of novel N‐acyl tyrosine monomeric and Gemini surfactants in single and SDS/CTAB–mixed micellar system

A series of single‐chained N‐acyl tyrosine surfactants with varying chain lengths (C₁₀‐C₁₈) and degree of unsaturation, as well as an N‐acyl Gemini tyrosine surfactant with chain length C₁₂, were synthesized, and the structures were confirmed using spectral analysis. The effect of chain length and level of unsaturation on the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of the N‐acyl tyrosine surfactants was evaluated. The C₁₂ derivative displayed the optimum antibacterial activity among the single chain surfactants, and the presence of double bond in the oleoyl derivative enhanced the antibacterial activity over its saturated analogue. The N‐acyl Gemini surfactant displayed the highest antibacterial activity among the series and also showed greater micelle forming ability than its single chain analogue. Mixed micellar behavior of the N‐acyl Gemini surfactant with conventional cationic (CTAB) and anionic (SDS) surfactants in aqueous solution was studied. The negative value of the interaction parameter β₁₂ observed for the N‐acyl Gemini in binary mixture with CTAB surfactant indicated a synergistic interaction within the mixed micellar system. However, the binary mixture with SDS displayed antagonistic behavior. The binary mixture of N‐acyl Gemini surfactant with CTAB displayed better antibacterial activity and foaming properties than with SDS mixtures. Optimum antibacterial activity was observed for N‐acyl Gemini surfactant with mole ratio 0.4 to 0.6 in the CTAB binary mixture, at which the lowest ocular irritation index was observed. Overall, the study showed that the Gemini surfactant in combination with the conventional surfactant CTAB can be used as potential ingredients in detergent and pharmaceutical formulations.     

Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric investigation of different equilibria of a recently synthesized Schiff base with the aid of chemometric methods

In this study ground and excited states acidic dissociation constants of a recently synthesized Schiff base was obtained in a DMF:water mixture of 30:70 (v/v) using absorption and fluorescent spectra of the Schiff base in different pH values with the aid of chemometric methods. In addition, the fluorescent of the two kinds of tautomers of this Schiff base was investigated and the rate of tautomerization was obtained using rank annihilation factor analysis (RAFA). The effect of different kinds of surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Triton X-100 on fluorescence spectrum of the Schiff base in a DMF:water mixture of 2:98 (v/v) was investigated. CTAB increased the fluorescence intensity of the Schiff base while SDS and Triton X-100 had no significant effect on it. β-Cyclodextrin increased the fluorescence intensity of the Schiff base. Also the sensing behavior of this Schiff base toward metal ions was studied in DMF and ethanol by fluorescence spectroscopy. The Schiff base showed prominent fluorescent signal in the presence of Zn²⁺, whereas other metal ions failed to induce response and ground-state dissociation constant of the complex was determined by direct fluorimetric titration as a function of Zn²⁺ concentration.     

Chemiluminescence of phthalhydrazide derivatives in organized media: Interactions with surfactants and cyclodextrins

The chemiluminescent oxidation of some phthalhydrazide derivatives, luminol (LUM), isoluminol (ISOL), N-(4-aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (ABEI) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-N-ethylisoluminol (AHEI), has been carried out in micellar media and in the presence of natural cyclodextrins (CDs), using Co(II) as catalyst and H₂O₂ as oxidant. The cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and, in a lesser extent, the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) produce quenching in the chemiluminescence (CL) of all the luminophores at concentrations above the cmc, whereas slight enhancements are attained with the non-ionic pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C₁₂E₅). On the contrary, the incorporation of the CDs to the reaction produces a remarkable intensification of the CL. Binding of the luminophores to the macrocycles and the micelles has been studied by Pulsed-Gradient-Spin-Echo-NMR (PGSE-NMR) and fluorescence anisotropy. The cationic CTAB decreases the emission mainly due to charge compensation as a result of the association of the luminophores and the luminescent intermediates to the micelles. The presence of the alkyl substituents of ABEI and AHEI provides an additional hydrophobic contribution to the binding process. SDS quenches this reaction as the micelles retain Co(II) on their anionic layer. The protection and stabilization of these luminophores or their luminescent intermediates provided by the cavities of the CDs make this family of cyclic oligosaccharides much more suitable agents than the surfactants for enhancing the CL in aqueous media for this specific reaction.     

Effect of surfactants on the aggregation of pyronin B and pyronin Y in aqueous solution

Molecular dynamics of pyronin B (PyB) and pyronin Y (PyY) in aqueous solution containing different surfactants were investigated by using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. First, the interactions of PyB and PyY with the negatively charged surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were investigated in the below and above critical micelle concentration (cmc). The H-aggregate formation of the dye compounds was observed for below the cmc of SDS surfactant. The absorbance of H-aggregate absorption band of PyB and PyY decreased according to the aggregate-monomer equilibrium by increasing SDS surfactant concentration towards the cmc. Therefore, equilibrium constants of the aggregate formation and oscillator strengths of monomer and aggregate of the dye compounds were calculated from spectral studies. Moreover, aggregate formation dynamics was discussed in terms of thermodynamic functions by using temperature studies. The interactions of PyB and PyY with the positively charged hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and neutral Triton X-100 (TX-100) were also studied and it was observed that there was no aggregate formation on the absorption and fluorescence spectra for below and above the cmc.     

A solvent-governed surface state strategy for rational synthesis of N and S co-doped carbon dots with multicolour fluorescence

ABSTRACT

Multicolour emissive carbon dots (CDs) are widely investigated by virtue of their merits on fluorescent properties. Method on heteroatom doping assisted with various solvents has been proved efficient in achieving multiple-colour-emissive CDs, especially long-wavelength emission. Herein, a synthesis of multicolour-emissive CDs by controlled surface function is reported. By tuning the thermal-pyrolysis temperature and molar ratio of reactants, optimal emission of the resulted CDs gradually shifts from blue to yellow light with the assistance of different solvents. According to the emissive relationship dependent on excitation, fluorescence lifetimes, and FT-IR of these CDs, the different surface states participated with S and N elements on the surface of carbogenic core govern fluorescent colours of the CDs. In terms of the applications, blue CDs (B-CDs) exhibits high sensitivity for ion detections of Ag⁺ and Fe³⁺, which is further illustrated to have different quenching mechanisms each other because that these ions have the affinity interaction with different surface groups of the CDs. Moreover, blue and yellow CDs solutions are mixed with PVP water solution to fabricate white-light CDs/PVP film, which exhibits stable fluorescence with a CIE coordinate of (0.32, 0.33) and endows these CDs as potentially fluorescent nanomaterial in the solid state lighting field.     

A Fluorescence and Fluorescence Probe Study of Benzonaphthyridines

A series of benzo[b][1,8]naphthyridines has been synthesized by Friedl?nder condensation of 2-aminoquinoline-3-carbaldehyde 1 (o-aminoaldehyde) with alicyclic ketones in basic medium. Benzonaphthyridines branched with various side-chains and substituents are prepared with the aim of being investigated as a good fluorescent material. Electronic absorption and fluorescence properties of some representative benzonaphthyridines in organic solvents, water-dioxane, and SDS, CTAB and Triton-X-100 micelles have been examined. The linear correlation between solvent polarity and fluorescence properties is observed. This study may provide new directions for the development of fluorescence probes as reporters of microenvironments of organized assemblies.     

Spectroscopic study on the interaction of Bacillus subtilis α-amylase with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

The interaction between α‐amylase from Bacillus subtilis and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has been investigated at various temperature conditions using fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic methods. Fluorescence data revealed that the fluorescence quenching of α‐amylase by CTAB is the result of complex formation between CTAB and α‐amylase. The thermodynamic analysis on the binding interaction data shows that the interactions are strongly exothermic (ΔH°=−17.92 kJ mol⁻¹) accompanied with increase in entropy (ΔS° between 109 to 135 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹). Thus the binding of CTAB to α-amylase is both enthalpic and entropic driven, which represent the predominate role of both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions in complex formation process. The values of 2.17×10⁻³ M⁻¹ and 1.30 have been obtained from associative binding constant (K_a) and stoichiometry of binding number (n), from analysis of fluorescence data, respectively. Circular dichroism spectra showed the substantial conformational changes in secondary structure of α‐amylase due to binding of CTAB, which represents the complete destruction of both secondary and tertiary structure of α-amylase by CTAB.     

Investigation of Spectroscopic Behaviors of Newly Synthesized (2E)-3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2,5-dimethylthiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (DDTP) Dye

This study introduced spectroscopic properties, physicochemical parameters, and polarity and photostability behaviors of a newly prepared chalcone dye. The chalcone dye, (2E)-3-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2,5-dimethylthiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (DDTP), was synthesized by the reaction of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde with 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethythiophene. Results of FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and elemental analysis were in conformity with chemical structure of newly prepared DDTP. Data of thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that DDTP has good thermal stability. Increases in fluorescence intensities of DDTP with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) were observed. In comparison of fluorescence intensities for DDTP with CTAB, reductions in fluorescence intensities for DDTP with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) were observed under the same experimental and instrumental conditions. Moreover, Benesi-Hildebrand method was applied to determine stoichiometric ratios and association constants of DDTP with CTAB and SDS. The stoichiometric ratio and association constant obtained from Stern-Volmer plot strongly supported those obtained from Benesi-Hildebrand plot of DDTP with SDS. Physicochemical parameters, such as, singlet absorption, molar absorptivity, oscillator strength, dipole moment and fluorescence quantum yield of DDTP were also estimated. Fluorescence steady-state measurements ultimately displayed that DDTP has a high photostability against photobleaching. Fluorescence polarity study revealed that DDTP was sensitive to the polarity of the microenvironment provided by different solvents.     

One-pot synthesis of carbon dots co-doped with N and S: high quantum yield governed by molecular state and fluorescence detection of Ag+

Fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticles, called chronically as carbon dots (CDs), were synthesised from citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method. After a series of micro-structural characterisation, N and S elements could be sufficiently doped by means of the heteroatom in the CDs solution. The as-prepared CDs solution showed blue colour fluorescence with the highest QY of 78.6%, and study on the UV–visible and PL spectra further revealed that the outstanding fluorescence of as-prepared CDs mainly originates from the generated molecular fluorophores instead of the surface state. Owing to the strong fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH₂ groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag⁺ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag⁺ for the application in industrial pollutants.

This figure shows citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method to prepare CDs with blue colour fluorescence and the highest QY of 78.6%. Owing to the excellent fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity, and the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH₂ groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag⁺ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag⁺ for the application in industrial pollutants.     

Effect of hydrophobicity of cationic carbocyanine dyes DiOC<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> on their binding to anionic surfactant micelles

The interaction of a series of cationic dialkyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiOC _n ) dyes of different degrees of hydrophobicity with micelles of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous solutions. The Benesi–Hildebrand equation was used to calculate binding constants (K _b ) of the dyes to surfactant micelles, the fraction of dye bound to the micelles (f _mic ), and the standard free-energy change (ΔG ⁰) for the transfer of dye from the aqueous to micellar phase. It has been shown that the interaction of oppositely charged dye molecules and surfactant micelles is controlled by both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. A small increase in dye hydrophobicity due to lengthening of the hydrocarbon radical has been shown to cause an abrupt nonlinear increase of the fmic value. This points to a key role of hydrophobic interactions in the binding of dye molecules with the micelles.     

Interaction of Thyroxine with 7 Hydroxycoumarin: A Fluorescence Quenching Study

The interaction between thyroxine hormone and 7 hydroxycoumarin (7HC) was investigated using fluorescence quenching method. The experimental results showed that thyroxine could quench the fluorescence of 7HC by forming the 7HC–thyroxine complex with static quenching. The apparent binding constants (K) between 7HC and thyroxine were determined to be 1.51 × 10⁴ (297 K) and 9.06 × 10³ (310 K). The binding sites (n) 0.98 ± 0.1. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the interaction between 7HC and thyroxine was driven mainly by hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals force. Calibration for thyroxine, based on quenching titration data, was linear in the concentration range 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l. The relative standard deviation was 2.58% for 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/l thyroxine (n = 4) and the 3σ limit of detection was 3.42 × 10⁻⁸ mol/l in cationic surfactant CTAB medium.     

Thioflavin T Displays Enhanced Fluorescence Selectively Inside Anionic Micelles and Mammalian Cells

Thioflavin T (ThT) has been widely employed to detect amyloid fibrils in tissues and recently in presence of SDS micelles. However, the contribution of membranes or micelles to ThT fluorescence has never been investigated. In this paper, we show for the first time that the anionic micellar microenvironment of SDS has a profound impact on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of ThT in sharp contrast to cationic (CTAB) and neutral micelles (Triton X-100 & Tween 20). Unlike CTAB or Triton X-100 or Tween 20 micelles, formation of SDS micelles shifts the λ_max for ThT absorption from 412 nm in buffer to 428 nm inside the micelle, with a 28% increase in the peak molar absorptivity and a ∼13 fold increase in ThT fluorescence (λ_max = 489 nm). Extending these observations to cell plasma membranes, we show that ThT can quickly enter and appear selectively fluorescent inside mammalian cells like BHK21 and HT29, against a dark background owing to negligible fluorescence from free ThT in aqueous medium. The above results suggest that ThT can be a useful probe for live cell imaging and for selectively labeling micelles on the basis of the charge in the polar headgroup. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A Significant Fluorescent Aptamer Sensor Based on Carbon Dots and Graphene Oxide for Highly Selective Detection of Progesterone

In this paper, a fluorescent aptamer sensor was constructed based on the carbon dots (CDs) and graphene oxide (GO). This sensor combines the excellent fluorescence performance of CDs with the high specificity of aptamer, which can detect progesterone (P₄) with high sensitivity and selectivity. In the absence of P₄, the CDs-aptamer system and GO form a fluorescence resonance energy transfer process (FRET), which quenches the fluorescence of the CDs. When P₄ is added, the aptamer specifically binds to it, resulting the fluorescence of the CDs is recovered. At optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity recovered by the CDs has a linear relationship with the concentration of P₄ in the range of 0.1–120 nM and the detection limit is 3.3?×?10^–11 M. Besides, the sensor has satisfactory detection results of P₄ in milk, indicating that constructed method has enormous potential for application in food safety.

     

Interaction of Alkali Blue 6B with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide

The microsurface adsorption–spectral correction (MSASC) technique has been applied to investigate the interaction of alkali blue 6B (AB6B) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The aggregation of AB6B on CTAB obeys the Langmuir isothermal adsorption. The aggregate was characterized by MSASC. For the monomer aggregate AB6B₂CTAB formed, its binding constant is calculated to be K = 3.01·10⁵ and its molar absorptivity to be 2.45·10⁶ liters·cm^–1 at = 690 nm. The adsorption has been used to carry out quantitative detection of cationic surfactant in samples.     

Versatile Fluorescent Carbon Dots from Citric Acid and Cysteine with Antimicrobial,Anti-biofilm,Antioxidant, and AChE Enzyme Inhibition Capabilities

Nanostructured fluorescent particles derived from natural molecules were prepared by a green synthesis technique employing a microwave method. The precursors citric acid (CA) and cysteine (Cys) were used in the preparation of S- and N-doped Cys carbon dots (Cys CDs). Synthesis was completed in 3 min. The graphitic structure revealed by XRD analysis of Cys CDs dots had good water dispersity, with diameters in the range of 2–20 nm determined by TEM analysis. The isoelectric point of the S, N-doped CDs was pH value for 5.2. The prepared Cys CDs displayed excellent fluorescence intensity with a high quantum yield of 75.6?±?2.1%. Strong antimicrobial capability of Cys CDs was observed with 12.5 mg/mL minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria with the highest antimicrobial activity obtained against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, Cys CDs provided total biofilm eradication and inhibition abilities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 25 mg/mL concentration. Cys CDs are promising antioxidant materials with 1.3?±?0.1 μmol Trolox equivalent/g antioxidant capacity. Finally, Cys CDs were also shown to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, even at the low concentration of 100 μg/mL.

     

Characterization of mixed micelles of sodium cumene sulfonate with sodium dodecyl sulfate and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide by SANS,FTIR spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy

The aqueous solutions of sodium cumene sulfonate (NaCS) and its mixtures with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are studied by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The compositions of mixed micelles are determined using Rubingh's Regular Solution Theory. NaCS when added to CTAB solution leads to the formation of long rod shaped micelles with dramatic increase in the CTAB aggregation number. Its addition to SDS on the other hand results in the formation of smaller mixed micelles where parts of SDS molecules in the micelle are replaced by NaCS molecules. NaCS–SDS mixed micelles prefer elongated ellipsoidal geometry in order to accommodate short NaCS molecules. The FTIR spectroscopy results indicate enhanced ordering of CTAB tails inside the NaCS–CTAB mixed micelles with reduction in the gauche/trans conformer ratio. Addition of NaCS to SDS on the other hand results in decreased ordering of SDS tails, as compared to SDS micelles alone. The chemical shifts observed in ¹H NMR spectra of NaCS–SDS and NaCS–CTAB mixture indicate that NaCS resides near the surface of the SDS micelle.     

Effect of surfactants on the degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by ultrasonic (US) treatment

Perfluorooctanoic acid (C₇F₁₅COOH, PFOA) is an aqueous anionic surfactant and a persistent organic pollutant. It can be easily adsorbed onto the bubble-water interface and both mineralized and degraded by ultrasonic (US) cavitation at room temperature. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the effect of US on the degradation of PFOA in solution can be enhanced by the addition of surfactant. To achieve this aim, we first investigated the addition of a cationic (hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, CTAB), a nonionic (octyl phenol ethoxylate, TritonX-100), and an anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) surfactant. We found the addition of CTAB to have increased the degradation rate the most, followed by TritonX-100. SDS inhibited the degradation rate. We then conducted further experiments characterizing the removal efficiency of CTAB at varying surfactant concentrations and solution pHs. The removal efficiency of PFOA increased with CTAB concentration, with the efficiency reaching 79% after 120 min at 25 °C with a 0.12 mM CTAB dose.     

A Fluorescence Study of Novel Styrylindoles in Homogenous and Microhetrogeneous Media

In this paper are presented absorption and fluorescence emission properties of 3-styrylindoles viz. 3-(2-phenylethenyl-E)-NH-indole (1), 3-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl-E)-NH-indole (2), 3-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)ethenyl-E]-N-ethylindole (3) and 3-[2-(4-cyanophenyl)ethenyl-E]-NH-indole (4) in organic solvents, 1,4-dioxane-water binary mixtures and micelles (SDS, CTAB and Triton-X-100). The fluorescence properties of 2-4 have been utilized to probe the microenvironment (binding constant, CMC, micropolarity and solubilization site) of the micelles.