TAUTOMERISM AND FLUORESCENCE OF LUMAZINE

Abstract— The fluorescence properties of lumazine, 1-methyl-lumazine (1-ML) and 3-methyl-lumazine (3-ML) in aqueous solution are pH dependent. Emissions with the following maxima were attributed to the four ionic species of lumazine: dianion (483 nm), monoanion (467 nm), neutral (380 nm) and monocation (505 nm). Neutral lumazine emitted, besides, a fluorescence at 481 nm with a large Stokes shift (10 000 cm^-1). As a similar emission is observed with 3-ML but not with 1-ML, we suggest as emitting species the N(8)-H-phototautomer resulting from the N(l) to N(8) proton transfer in the excited state. At pH 10, the fluorescence quantum yield of 3-ML, Q_f= 0.24 ± 0.02 was higher than that of 1-ML, Q_f= 0.015 ± 0.002. At this pH, lumazine is a mixture of N(l)-deprotonated and N(3)-deprotonated monoanions, the emitting properties being principally due to the N(l)-deprotonated species, Q_f= 0.24 ± 0.02. The evaluation of the ionization constants in the excited state are discussed in relation to the tautomeric nature of the emitting species.     

CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND FLUORESCENCE OF THE EUROPIUM IONS-ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES SYSTEM AND ITS POSSIBLE BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract— Chemiluminescence of the Eu(II)/Eu(III)-adenine nucleotide-H₂O₂ system and fluorescence of the Eu(III)-adenosine triphosphate system have been investigated. The spectral distribution of the chemiluminescence emission has shown an occurrence of three main bands (Λ=470–480,590–620 and ca. 700 nm). The energy transfer process from the adenosine triphosphate molecules to the Eu(III) ions has been observed in the fluorescence spectrum. The examined chemiluminescence and fluorescence spectra show that these both kinds of emission originate from the ⁵ D _***τ⁷F_*** ( n =1–4) transitions in the Eu(III) ions.     

A NEW FLUORESCENT PHOTOPRODUCT OF TRYPTOPHAN EVIDENCED BY LONG WAVELENGTH EXCITATION OF FLUORESCENCE

Abstract— Besides the normal tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence in aqueous solution (emission maximum at 350 nm), a new emission, peaking around 380 nm, appears by long wavelength excitation. Its fluorescence yield (φ_s 0.24) is higher than that of tryptophan (φ_Trp= 0.13). The growth of this emission is observed under different experimental conditions, mainly under UV anaerobic irradiation. To explain this observation, the formation of a C₃-hydroxylated derivative is tentatively suggested.     

THE EFFECT OF ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS ON FLUORESCENCE QUENCHING AND FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION OF LUMINESCENCE PROBES IN HEXADECYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE MICELLES

Abstract— The fluorescence quenching of the indole chromophore by NO⁻₂ and the fluorescence depolarization of several luminescence probes in aqueous solutions containing hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTBr) were measured as a function of added C₂–C₄ aliphatic alcohol concentration. The fluorescence decay profiles of pyrene in the micellar solutions were also measured to estimate the aggregation number of the micelles. The addition of n -butyl alcohol significantly reduces the fluorescence quenching rate and the aggregation number and increases the extent of fluorescence depolarization in HDTBr micellar systems. The addition of ethyl alcohol shows a similar but smaller effect.     

ACIDITY DEPENDENCE OF THE ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE SPECTRA OF ISOFLAVONE AND 7-HYDROXYISOFLAVONE

-The pH and H₀ dependence of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of isoflavone and 7-hydroxyisoflavone are reported. Isoflavone is fluorescent in acidic solution only, whereas 7-hydroxyisoflavone is fluorescent in all acidity ranges under investigation. Ground and first excited singlet state p K _a's have been determined spectrophotometrically and fluorimetrically, respectively. Excited state protolytic equilibration processes via a second order reaction (proton gain) are found to be too slow to compete efficiently with fluorescence. This is deduced from the close agreement between the p K _a's of the conjugate acids obtained by absorption and fluorescence titrations. On the other hand, photodissociation of 7-hydroxyisoflavone proceeds faster than its fluorescence decays. The experimental p K _a(S₁) is in fair agreement with the calculated one. 7-Hydroxyisofiavone forms a phototautomer (or exciplex) in the pH 2 to H₀-1 acidity range, which is characterized by its long wavelength emission. Quantum efficiencies are given for isoflavone and 7-hydroxyisoflavone in aqueous solutions of various acidities. Deuteration effects thereon are discussed.     

SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 8-SUBSTITUTED 5-DEAZAFLAVINS

Abstract— Absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra as well as fluorescence and phosphorescence quantum yields of 8-X-5-deazaflavins (X = C1, NO₂, p -NO₂-C₆H₄, N(CH₃)₂, NH₂, p -NH₂-C₆H₄, p -N(CH₃)₂-C₆H₄-N=N) were determined. It was found that all these data are highly influenced by the substituent at position 8 of the 5-deazaisoalloxazine skeleton. Also the photoreduction of 8-X-5-deazaflavins in the presence of electron donors was studied. It was established that the photoreduction leads to the formation of a 5,5'-dimer and/or a 6,7-dihydro compound. Reduction of the C(6)-C(7) bond is promoted by strong electron-donating substituents and bulky electron donors. 5-Deazaftavins with a reducible substituent at position 8 exhibit reduction of the substituent prior to the reduction of the 5-deazaisoalloxazine skeleton.     

氰基蒽的电子转移荧光猝灭及激基复合物

本文测定了在不同溶剂中一系列化合物以及氧分子对9,10-二氰基蒽(DCA)及9-氰基蒽(CNA)的荧光淬灭常数k_q值及DCA与2,5-二甲基呋喃的激基复合物的发射光谱。这些化合物的k_q值与计算所得自由能的变化△G之间的关系基本符合Rehm-Wdler关系。溶剂极性及溶剂粘度对荧光猝灭反应有影响,影响强电子给体k_q值的主要因素是溶剂的粘度,而弱电子给体的k_q值则主要决定于溶剂的极性。氧分子的k_q值基本上与溶剂扩散速率常数走k_diff值吻合。     

LIGHT-INDUCED QUENCHING OF PHOTOSYSTEM II FLUORESCENCE AT 77 K

Abstract— Light-induced quenching of the low temperature fluorescence emission from photosystem II (PS II) at 695 nm ( F ₆₉₅) has been observed in chloroplasts and whole leaves of spinach. Photosystem I (PS I) fluorescence emission at 735 nm ( F ₇₃₅) is quenched to a lesser degree but this quenching is thought to originate from PS II and is manifest in a reduced amount of excitation energy available for spillover to PS I. Differential quenching of these two fluorescence emissions leads to an increase in the F ₇₃₅/ F ₆₈₅ ratio on exposure to light at 77 K. Rewarming the sample from -196°C discharges the thermoluminescence Z-band and much of the original unquenched fluorescence is recovered. The relationship between the thermoluminescence Z-band and the quenching of the low temperature fluorescence emission ( F ₆₉₅) is discussed with respect to the formation of reduced pheophytin in the PS II reaction center at 77 K.     

ACID DEPENDENT FLUORESCENCE QUANTUM YIELD AND TETRAMETHYL- 1,2-DIOXETANE CHEMI-ENERGIZED FLUORESCENCE OF ERGOSTATETRAENONE*

Abstract. –In acidified acetonitrile, ergostatetraenone (E) efficiently quenches the tetramethyl-1,2-dioxetane (TMD) chemiluminescence at 410 nm, with the appearance of a new chemiluminescence at ca. 530 nm due to ergostatetraenone fluorescence. Control experiments exclude energization by triplet acetone and the trivial process (emission and reabsorption), establishing singlet-singlet energy transfer between excited singlet acetone (A) and ground state ergostatetraenone as major pathway. From the kinetics the rate constant for singlet-singlet energy transfer ( K ^ss_A,1,) was estimated to be ca. 10^{1 2}S^-1. The chemiluminescence yield (φ^CL) for the TMD/ergostatetraenone system was determined to be ca. 12 × 10^-8. The fluorescence efficiency of ergostatetraenone (φ) in acidified acetonitrile is a function of acid concentration, ranging between 0.06-0.82. The efficiency of singlet acetone production (α) was found to be 500-fold lower than in neutral medium due to a competing acid-catalysed, dark decomposition of TMD. A 60-fold light enhancement has been established for this binary chemiluminescent system.     

FLUORESCENCE OF THYMINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION AT 300° K

Abstract— –Fluorescence of thymine in neutral aqueous solution at room temperature has been detected using the multiscaling operation of a multichannel analyzer. The emission maximum (2.96 μm^-1) and 0-0 transition energy (3.37-3.45 μm^-1) are close to those determined at liquid nitrogen temperature in mixed solvents. The quantum efficiency of fluorescence excited at 3.77 μm^-1 is calculated to be 1.04 × 10^-4.
The corrected relative excitation spectrum shows significant differences from the absorption spectrum when both are determined under identical conditions of concentration and spectral bandwidth on the same instrument. The quantum yield of fluorescence decreases about 2-fold as the energy of excitation is increased beyond the 0-0' transition and follows the relation 1/φ°α E _excit..
This behavior is discussed in terms of (a) n π* and ππ* states, (b) emission from a minor tautomer and (c) kinetics of competing deactivation processes.     

A METHOD FOR THE CORRECTION OF QUANTUM YIELDS OF FLUORESCENCE IN SOLUTIONS

Abstract— The correction factors due to the overlap of absorption and emission spectra have been calculated for various concentrations of fluorescein dye at pH 12 by using the experimentally obtained value of apparent molar absorptivity, ε₂, for the fluorescence radiation. The observed fluorescence intensities for the same-surface detection for a given geometry have been corrected for the secondary emission effect thus calculated, and also for refraction and dilution effects, to give corrected relative quantum yields for the solutions. These have been converted to the absolute values by comparison of the integrated fluorescence quantum spectrum of a dilute solution of fluorescein with that for quinine sulphate in 0.1 N H₂SO₄. The corrected quantum yields compare well with values given in the literature.     

ACID-BASE EQUILIBRIA OF THE EXCITED SINGLET AND TRIPLET STATES AND THE SEMI-REDUCED FORM OF ACRIDINE ORANGE

Abstract— The acid-base equilibria of the excited singlet and triplet states of acridine orange (AO) were studied by flash-photolysis and fluorometric methods. The dye is a stronger base in the first excited singlet state (pK_s= 13.3) than in the triplet and ground states (pK_r= 10.3: pK_c, = 10.2); acridine orange follows the trend observed with some other heterocyclic compounds, viz. pK_s > pK_r= pK,_c. At room temperature, an anomalous fluorescence occurs from the dye in basic media: the assignment of this emission is discussed.
The semi-reduced dye was studied as a function of pH. In a large pH range (3–14), only the protolytic equilibrium between the cationic (AOH₂⁺) and the neutral (AOH) radicals was observed; the pK value corresponding to this equilibrium was found to be in the range of pH 5–6.     

SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MECHANISM OF CHEMILUMINESCENCE FROM TRYPTOPHAN SOLUTIONS INDUCED BY UV-IRRADIATION

The spectral distribution of the chemiluminescence, fluorescence and phosphorescence of tryptophan aqueous solutions irradiated with high and low pressure mercury lamps has been measured. The blue emission bands in the region of 380–520 nm observed both in the chemi- and photoluminescence, as well as an absorbance increase at 230 and 330 nm, indicate oxidative degradation of tryptophan leading to the formation of derivatives of N-formylkynurenine, xanthurenic and anthranilic acids. Red emission bands at 630 and 705 nm in the spectrum of the chemiluminescence, an enhancement of light intensity by D₂O and its decrease by NaN₃ and DABCO suggest a partial contribution of O₂(¹Δ_g) to the photooxidation and chemiluminescence of tryptophan. The enthalpy of the exergonic reactions, leading to the formation of luminescing products, was calculated to average -270 kJ-mol.     

ESTIMATION OF ENERGY DISTRIBUTION AND REDISTRIBUTION AMONG TWO PHOTOSYSTEMS USING PARALLEL MEASUREMENTS OF FLUORESCENCE LIFETIMES AND TRANSIENTS AT 77 K

Abstract— A single-sample method for estimating energy distribution and redistribution among the two photosystems using fluorescence lifetimes and transients at 77 K is presented. In this method,α(the fraction of photons absorbed by photosystem I, PSI) is F_1(α)/(F_1(α)+ (τ_{F 1(M)}/τ_{F 2(M)}).F_2(M)) where, F_1(α) is the fluorescence intensity from PSI excited by photons initially absorbed by the latter, τ_{F 1(M)} and τ_{F 2(M)} are the maximum lifetimes of fluorescence from chlorophyll- a in PSI (1) and II (2), and, F_2(M) is the maximum fluorescence intensity from PSII (P level). Analysis of the intensities and lifetimes of wavelength resolved fluorescence of thylakoids (pH 7.0), with and without cations, leads to the following conclusions: The addition of 10 m M Na⁺ to cation-depleted thylakoids (pH 7.0) increases α by ˜ 10%, while the subsequent addition of 10 m M Mg²⁺ leads to three principal concomitant changes (in the order of importance): a 50% decrease in PSII to PSI energy transfer, a 20% increase in other radiation-less losses, and a 10% decrease in α.     

FLUORESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF OLIGOCYTIDYLIC AND POLYCYTIDYLIC ACIDS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract —In addition to the monomer-like fluorescence, a long-wavelength emission (Λ^max_em= 410 nm) has been detected in the dinucleoside 5'-5' pyrophosphate (CppC) at room temperature. This emission looks very similar to that previously reported for the acidic forms of Poly C (Poly C. Poly C⁺ and Poly I. Poly C. Poly C⁺). Only the monomer-like emission (Λ^max_em= 330 nm) can be detected in neutral Poly C, acidic CppC, and the neutral or protonated forms of the dinucleoside phosphate CpC.A correlation between the room temperature fluorescence of oligo and polycytidylic acids and their photochemical behaviour is found. Irradiation of all the polymeric samples at both neutral and acid pH results in the formation of minor photoproducts. They have been characterized by their absorbance (in the range 300–400 nm) and their fluorescence spectra. The same product is obtained in all cases where the monomer-like fluorescence only is detected. Distinct products are formed in neutral CppC and in the acidic Poly C forms.
The results are discussed with respect to the conformation of the oligo and polycytidylic acids and possible relationships between the 410–420 nm emission and adduct formation. An excimer is proposed as a common, intermediate excited state in both radiative deactivation and adduct formation in neutral CppC and the acidic Poly C forms.     

FLUORESCENCE LINE-NARROWING STUDIES OF ANTIBODY-BENZO[a]PYRENE TETROL COMPLEXES

Benzo[ a ]pyrene tetrol (BPT) was used as a fluorescent probe to investigate the nature of antigen binding by two different monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that recognize a variety of derivatives of anti -7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[ a ]pyrenes (BPDE). Fluorescence line-narrowed spectra of the physical complexes of BPT formed with antibodies 8E11 and 3C3 were recorded at 4 K by employing vibronic excitation into the S, electronic state. The frequencies of the vibrational modes of the S₁ state were only marginally affected, though changes in relative intensities of some bands were observed. Fluorescence spectra recorded at 77 K by excitation into the S₂ state showed that the (0,0) fluorescence emission of BPT was shifted to red on complex formation. Intensity ratios of the (0,0) band and the main vibrational band at 1300 cm^-1 were used to assess the degree of interior binding of the chromophore. Quenching studies with acrylamide were employed to designate the complexes as type I, solvent inaccessible, or type II, solvent accessible. These studies also indicated that antibody 3C3 complexes tend to be more heterogeneous compared to the 8E11 complex. Deuterated BPT-d-12 also formed complexes with both antibodies, however, with different quenching behavior.     

THE FLUORESCENCE PROPERTIES OF ORTHO AMINOBENZOATE ANESTHETICS IN DEFINED SOLVENTS AND PHOSPHOLIPID VESICLES

Abstract— The fluorescence properties of three ortho aminobenzoate local anesthetics have been determined in a variety of solvents. Results from these studies have been used to deduce how these drugs interact with phosphatidylcholine bilayers. The emission energy, fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime exhibited a biphasic dependence on solvent polarity. In aprotic solvents, alcohols and in ethanol-water mixtures containing less than 40% water, quantum yields and lifetimes were high (approximately 0.55 and 8.5 ns respectively). In ethanol-water mixtures containing >40% water, the strong fluorescence quenching was primarily due to an increase in the rate of non-radiative deactivation of the excited state. Both the radiative ( k_r ) and non-radiative ( k_nr ) rate constants show a biphasic dependence on solvent polarity. These studies suggest the presence of two singlet excited states for these molecules, a polar singlet excited state, S_1-p and a charge transfer excited state, S_1-ct with the latter predominating in ethanol-water mixture containing >40% water. In egg phosphatidylcholine bilayers, the fluorescence, lifetime and quantum yield are consistent with the view that these drugs are localized within the lipid head group region where the charge-transfer excited state can be stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

QUENCHING OF THE EXCITED STATES OF 2-PHENYLBENZOXAZOLE BY AZIDE ANION. FLUORESCENCE AND ESR STUDY

Electron spin resonance, spin-trapping and fluorescence techniques demonstrate that 2-phenylbenzoxazole (P) participates in photo-induced reactions with alcohols and electron donors like the azide ion. Irradiation of Pat 300 nm in deaerated ethanol produces ethoxyl and hydroxyethyl radicals which can be detected with the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline-l-oxide (DMPO). However, irradiation of P in the presence of N^-₃ leads to the appearance of the azide radical, N^-₃, which also reacts with DMPO. Studies with the nitroxyl radical, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-l-oxyl (TEMPO), suggest that electron transfer from the azide anion to an excited state of P yields the semi-reduced sensitizer, P^-, which in turn reacts with TEMPO. The effect of sodium azide upon the fluorescence intensity and lifetime of P in aqueous ethanol has also been studied.     

THE Py SCALE OF SOLVENT POLARITIES. SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE VIBRONIC FINE STRUCTURE OF PYRENE FLUORESCENCE and EMPIRICAL CORRELATIONS WITH ET and Y VALUES

Abstract— Pyrene fluorescence spectra have been run in 62 solvents of widely differing solvent polarity. As has been noted previously, the intensity ratio of the first (the 0–0 band) and third bands in vibronic fine structure of these spectra are very sensitive to solvent polarity. These I ₁/ I ₃ values, however, are not sensitive to hydrogen bonding aspects of solvent-solute interactions. Correlations are reported with Winstein's Y values and with Dimrotb's E _T values. On this basis the I ₁/ I ₃ values for pyrene fluorescence are suggested as the basis for a new empirical scale of solvent polarity, called the Py scale, which offers certain conveniences over other scales of solvent polarity.     

INTRAMOLECULAR EXCIMER FLUORESCENCE: A NEW PROBE OF PHASE TRANSITIONS IN SYNTHETIC PHOSPHOLIPID MEMBRANES

Abstract— The molecule (1,1'-dipyrenyl)-methyl ether [dipyme] shows intramolecular excimer fluorescence in competition with fluorescence from the locally excited pyrene chromophore. This intensity ratio I_c/I_m is sensitive to solvent viscosity. The molecule is soluble in synthetic phospholipid membranes. ¹H NMR studies suggest that the molecule is localized in the hydrocarbon region of the membrane. Fluorescence measurements at various temperatures of dipyme dissolved in these membranes show that I_c/I_m is exceedingly sensitive to fluidity changes accompanying both the pretransitions and the gel to liquid crystalline transitions of the membrane. These studies can be carried out at a mole ratio of probe to lipid 10²-10³ smaller than that necessary to observe bimolecular pyrene excimer formation.