PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NUCLEIC ACID COMPONENTS—1. THE PYRIMIDINES: THYMINE, URACIL, N, N-DIMETHYL DERIVATIVES AND THYMIDINE

Abstract— Low-temperature (and some room temperature) absorption and emission, fluorescence and phosphorescence, data including quantum yields and lifetimes have been obtained from the title pyrimidine bases as a function of the nature of the solvent environment. Modest vibrational resolution has been observed for the first time in the absorption spectra, particularly for thymine and uracil. The excitation spectra also show structure. The quantum yields of fluorescence (φ_F) and phosphorescence are independent of the excitation wavelength. Thymine, thymidine and uracil have profoundly different photophysical properties in polar-aprotic vs polar-protic solvents. The N, N-dimethyl substitution of thymine and uracil produces photophysical changes comparable to the solvent change for the unsubsti-tuted bases. The species involved in the emission processes is the keto (lactam) form. It is probable that ^1,3(n,π*) state(s) has(have) changed order relative to a lowest ¹(π,π*) state as a consequence of both the solvent change and N, N-dimethyl substitution. The lowest triplet state is assigned as ³(n π*). We propose that an important factor contributing to the previously reported excitation wavelength dependence of φ_F and φ_T1 (φ_isc) for nucleic-acid components is the equilibrium coexistence of H-bonded and non-H-bonded forms each having different photophysical properties. Consideration is given of the impact of the significantly different photophysical properties of nucleic-acid bases as a function of the nature of the solvent upon the photochemical properties.     

STUDIES ON THE TRIPLET EXCITED STATE OF 4-THIOURIDINE

Abstract— The absorption spectra, lifetimes, extinction coefficients and intersystem crossing quantum yields of the lowest triplet T ₁ of 4-thiouridine have been determined both in acetonitrile and in water. An ordering of ^1,3(n,π)* and ^1,3(π,π)* states is suggested. Triplet quenching rate constants with various pyrimidine bases or amino acids are reported.     

Photophysical properties of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states of thio- and seleno-psoralens

The decay processes of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states of five heteropsoralens (HPS) were investigated by steady-state and shift-phase fluorometry and by laser-flash photolysis in different solvents. The emission spectra of HPS are detectable only in trifluoroethanol (TFE), where fluorescence lifetimes (τ_F) and quantum yields (φ_F) were measured. The triplet lifetimes (τ_T), triplet (φ_T) and singlet-oxygen production (φ_Δ) quantum yields were determined in benzene, ethanol and TFE by laser-flash photolysis. Semiempirical (INDO/1-CI) calculations allowed the nature of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states and transition probabilities to be obtained. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that the two lowest excited singlet states S₁ and S₂ of HPS are close-lying and different in nature (π,π* and n,π*). The "proximity effect" between these two states controls the photophysical properties of HPS as it does for the other furocoumarins. However, HPS have a peculiar behavior with respect to the related compounds because they are fluorescent and have, in three cases, detectable intersystem crossing only in TFE. This behavior can be tentatively explained by a different energy gap and/or order between the S₁ and S₂ states.     

QUANTUM YIELDS OF TRIPLET FORMATION OF SOME DERIVATIVES OF ANTHRAQUINONE

Abstract— Quantum yields of triplet formation for five amino substituted anthraquinones have been determined by the comparative actinometer method using laser flash photolysis. Substitution reduces the yields to values of ˜10^--². and the requirement of low laser intensities required high sensitivity of detection of triplet absorption. The ø_T values are compared with the quantum efficiencies of fluorescence and decomposition for the compounds, and the criteria for light stability discussed.     

A LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF PYRENE-1-ALDEHYDE. INTERSYSTEM CROSSING EFFICIENCY, PHOTOREACTIVITY AND TRIPLET STATE PROPERTIES IN VARIOUS SOLVENTS

Abstract— Triplet-and singlet-related photoprocesses of pyrene-1-aldehyde (PA) in various solvents have been investigated in detail using 337.1 and 355 nm laser flash photolysis in conjunction with time-correlated determination of fluorescence lifetimes (τ_F) and steady-state photochemical and absorption-emission spectral measurements. In benzene, the lowest triplet of PA (43 < E_T < 46 kcal/mol) has a lifetime of about 50 µs (τ_T) and displays the absorption maximum at 443 nm with a maximum extinction coefficient (ε_max) of 21000 M ^-1cm^-1; the corresponding ketyl radical has a sharp absorption maximum at 428 nm (ε_max≥ 25000 M ^-1cm^-1). The quantum yields (φ_T) of lowest triplet occupation are high in nonprotic solvents (0.6–0.8), decrease in protic solvents (alcohols) as the polarity of the latter is increased, and maintain a complementary relationship with the quantum yields (φ_F) of fluorescence. Quantum yields (φ_PC) of loss of PA due to photoreactions in some solvents have also been determined under conditions of steady irradiation at 366 nm; φ_PC is in the range 0.1–0.2 in electron-rich olefinic solvents such as cyclohexene and tetramethylethylene. These results concerning τ_F, τ_T, φ_F. φ_T and φ_PC as well as the effects of 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene and 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene as quenchers for fluorescence, triplet yield, and photochemistry are discussed in the light of possible state orders for PA in polar and nonpolar environments.     

MECHANISM OF THE PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTION OF DIPHENYLAMINES WITH CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

Abstract. The quantum yields of HCI (φ_HC1) formation have been measured for the photolysis of N -methyldiphenylamine (MeDPA), triphenylamine (TPA) and diphenylamine (DPA) in the presence of CCl₄ in polar solvents. The quantum yields of N-methylcarbazole formation (φ_mφca) have also been determined for the system MeDPA-CCl₄. With increasing CCl₄ concentration, φ_HCl increases as φ_MeCA decreases, and φ_HCl reaches maximum values 2.7 at 1 M CCl₄. Using laser photolysis, transient spectra have been recorded for MeDPA in the absence and presence of CCl₄ in polar and non-polar solvents, and for TPA. Transient absorption due to the triplet states and photocyclization products (without CCU), exciplexes, the (C₆H₅)₂ NCHi radical, the MeDPA⁺ cation radical, the (TPA⁺., CCl₄) ion pair, and the TPA⁺ cation radical have been identified. The mechanistic implications of these results are discussed.     

PHOTOKINETIC ASPECTS OF SPECIFIC HYDROGEN BONDING IN ALL-TRANS RETINAL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Room-temperature hydrogen-bonding of all- trans retinal (ATR) with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in cyclohexane results in fluorescence enhancement and triplet yield quenching; these effects, as well as the associated absorption spectral changes in both ground and triplet states and the kinetics of H-bonding in the triplet state, have been studied by steady-state absorption-emission and laser flash-photolytic transient measurements. The fluorescence enhancement is predominantly controlled by the H-bonding in the ground state (static interaction) and gives a value of 440 M ^-1 for the corresponding equilibrium constant which is very similar to the value (420 M ^-1) obtained from the analysis of absorption spectral data as a function of [HFIP˜. The quantum yield of triplet occupation (ø_T) of the H-bonded complex, ATR-HFIP, in cyclohexane is non-negligible and is about one-third of ø_T of free ATR. The kinetic data of H-bonding equilibration in the triplet state, observable on a nanosecond time scale, indicate that the triplet ATR is a stronger base than the ground state as far as H-bonding with HFIP is concerned.     

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.     

265 NM LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSIS OF SOME ORTHO-SUBSTITUTED ANILIDES AND RELATED N-FORMYLKYNURENINE DERIVATIVES

Abstract— The physical and chemical properties of the triplet state of eight ortho-substituted anilides including N -formylkynurenine (FK), the major trp UV-photooxidation product and a remarkable photodynamic agent, have been investigated using both pulse radiolysis and 265 nm laser flash photolysis techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, the intersystem-crossing quantum yield and the oscillator strength of the T ₁→ T _n absorption band (Λ_max˜ 450 nm) have been determined. It is shown that anilides having n,π* triplets readily react with most solvents whereas those having π ,π* triplets slowly react with alcohols. In both cases, the semi-reduced species are formed. In water, the formation of the semi-reduced. species most probably involves the first excited singlet state. The triplet state properties of the FK derivatives (i.e. ortho-substituted anilides having a side chain bearing charged groups such as carboxylic or amino groups) are strongly modified by the ionization state of the charged side chain. In the case of the FK derivatives possessing an uncharged amino group, quenching of the triplet state occurs via a fast reversible electron transfer reaction from the NH₂ to the triplet anilide.     

LASER PHOTOLYSIS OF RETINAL AND ITS PROTONATED AND UNPROTONATED n-BUTYLAMINE SCHIFF BASE

Abstract —The pulsed ruby laser (347 nm) flash photolysis technique has been used to measure the triplet-triplet absorption spectra and triplet lifetimes of trans -retinal, N-frans -retinylidene- n -butylamine (NRBA), and protonated NRBA (NRBAH⁺) at room temperature. In methylcyclohexane solution, the triplet lifetimes are in the range 10–20 μs and decrease in the order NRBAH⁺ > NRBA > trans -retinal. Intersy stem-crossing efficiencies (φ_ISC) were determined by a comparison technique using anthracene and 1,2-benzanthracene as reference compounds. For trans -retinal, φ_ISC is 0–50 pM 0–05 in methylcyclohexane and 0–08 in methanol, which confirms that earlier values of 0–11 and 0–017 in these solvents are in error. For NRBA and NRBAH⁺ in methylcyclohexane, Φ_ISC values are 0008 and < 0–001, respectively. Evidence is presented for a significant solvent effect in the isomerization of retinal via the triplet state, and that cis φ trans isomerization occurs from the triplet state of NRBAH⁺. The relation between the intersystem-crossing properties of model compounds and the photochemistry of rhodopsin is discussed.     

ACTINOMETRY IN MONOCHROMATIC FLASH PHOTOLYSIS: THE EXTINCTION COEFFICIENT OF TRIPLET BENZOPHENONE AND QUANTUM YIELD OF TRIPLET ZINC TETRAPHENYL PORPHYRIN

Abstract— The extinction coefficient ε_T, of triplet benzophenone in benzene has been directly determined by absolute measurements of absorbed energy and triplet absorbance, Δ D ⁰_T, under demonstrably linear conditions where incident excitation energy, E ₀, and ground state absorbance, A ₀, are both extrapolated to zero. The result, 7220 ± 320 M ^-1 cm^-1 at 530 nm, validates and slightly corrects many measurements relative to benzophenone of triplet extinction coefficients made by the energy transfer technique, and of triplet yields obtained by the comparative method.
As E ₀ and A ₀ both decrease, Δ D ⁰_T becomes proportional to their product. In this situation, the ratio R = (1/ A ₀)(dΔ D ⁰_T/d E ₀) = (ε_T - ε_G)φ_T. Measurements of R , referred to benzophenone, give (ε_T - ε_G)φ_T for any substance, without necessity for absolute energy calibration.
Both absolute and relative laser flash measurements on zinc tetraphenyl porphyrin (ε_T - ε_G at 470 nm = 7.3 × 10⁴ M ^-1 cm^-1) give φ_T= 0.83 ± 0.04.     

THE LOWEST EXCITED TRIPLET STATES OF CODEINE AND MORPHINE AND OF THEIR MOLECULAR SUBUNITS VERATROLE AND GUAIACOL

Abstract— The lowest excited triplet T₁ states of the two alkaloids, morphine and codeine, have been investigated by ODMR and emission spectroscopy. The electronic character of their T₁ states could be determined by comparing the T₁ properties with those of the constituent parts guaiacol and veratrole. The T₁ properties, e.g. phosphorescence spectra, zero-field splitting parameters and triplet sublevel selective decay rates are very similar for the constituent parts and the alkaloids. Thus, in analogy to veratrole and guaiacol, the T₁ state of codeine and morphine is assigned to a ππ* state mainly localized on the benzene ring and the attached alkoxy and hydroxy groups. There is no evidence for a contribution from the other subunits, trialkylamine and unsaturated alcohol, to the T₁ state of codeine and morphine.     

QUANTIFICATION OF THE SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE TRIPLET QUANTUM YIELD OF PSORALEN BY THE "LINEAR SOLVATION ENERGY RELATIONSHIP"

Triplet formation quantum yields (Φ_τ) of psoralen in a set of 17 pure solvents ranging from n -hexane to water and in dioxane: water mixtures were obtained by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. The triplet yield increases with solvent polarity. The extremum values are 0.009 and 0.545 in n -hexane and water, respectively. Good correlations of the experimental Φ_τ values with empirical "polarity" scales (Dimroth/Reichardt's E_T [30], Kamlet/Taft's solva-tochromic parameters β, and α, and Swains acity/basity A_S/B_S) were obtained: Ln(φ_T^-1 - 1) = 8.86 - 0.143E_T(30) Ln(φ_T^-1 - 1) = 4.40 - 2.34_τ - 1.70α Ln(φ_T^-1 - 1) = 4.65 - 3.72A_s - 1.12B_s The results are discussed in terms of the sensitivity of psoralen triplet quantum yield to solvent polarity and hydrogen-bonding abilities.     

SOLVENT EFFECTS ON THE TAUTOMERIZATION OF 5'-DEOXYPYRIDOXAL. A PHOTOPHYSICAL STUDY

Abstract— Absorption and fluorescence spectra of 5'-deoxypyridoxal (DPL) in various pure solvents and mixtures were recorded both at room temperature and over the range10–65°C. The areas under the absorption bands were analyzed to obtain the mole fraction (f_N, f_z) of two tautomers (the zwitterionic, Z, and neutral, N, forms) in the ground state. The following spectral parameters were determined from the fluorescence spectra: Stokes shift (Δ v ), fluorescence quantum yield of the neutral form (Q_N), fluorescence ratio of the neutral to the zwitterionic form (ø_N/ø_Z) and the rate constant of tautomerization ( k ₁) from Z to N in the excited state. Some of these parameters (f_N, Δ v , Q_N, k ₁) were found to depend on the proton donor character of the solvent, whereas others (ø_N/ø_Z) depended on its dipole moment. Thus, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of DPL allow one to obtain information on the polarity and the concentration of –OH groups on its environment.     

Photosensitizing properties of triplet beta-lapachones in acetonitrile solution

The photochemical reactivity of β-lapachone ( 1 ), nor -β-lapachone ( 2 ) and 1,2-naphthoquinone ( 3 ) towards amino acids and nucleobases or nucleosides has been examined employing the nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique. Excitation (λ = 355 nm) of degassed solutions of 1 – 3 , in acetonitrile, resulted in the formation of their corresponding triplet excited states. These transients were efficiently quenched by l -tryptophan, l -tryptophan methyl ester, l -tyrosine, l -tyrosine methyl ester and l -cysteine ( k _q  ≈ 10⁹ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). For l -tryptophan, l -tyrosine and their methyl esters new transients were formed in the quenching process, which were assigned to the corresponding radical pair resulting from an initial electron transfer from the amino acids or their esters to the excited quinone, followed by a fast proton transfer. No measurable quenching rate constants could be observed in the presence of thymine and thymidine. On the other hand, efficient rate constants were obtained when 1 – 3 were quenched by 2'-deoxyguanosine ( k _q  ≈ 10⁹ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) formation from 1 to 3 was determined employing time-resolved near-IR emission studies upon laser excitation and showed considerably high values in all cases (Φ_Δ = 0.6), which are fully in accord with the ππ* character of these triplets in acetonitrile.     

THE CHARACTERISATION OF THE TRIPLET STATE OF CROCETIN, A WATER SOLUBLE CAROTENOID, BY NANOSECOND LASER FLASH PHOTOLYSES

Abstract— The triplet state of crocetin, which is a water soluble carotenoid, has been sensitized by psoralen. The triplet extinction coefficient, ε_T (73000 dm³ mol^-1 cm^-1 at 470 nm), the triplet-triplet spectrum and the quantum yield of triplet formation, φ_T (less than 1%) are reported in aqueous solution.
In order to calculate the extinction coefficient of crocetin it was necessary to obtain ε_T for psoralen in water (10000dm³ mol^-1 cm^-1 at 450 nm). This latter value was obtained using the complete conversion technique and is reported with the triplet-triplet spectrum.     

LUMINESCENCE STUDIES OF QUINIZARIN AND DAUNORUBICIN

Abstract— The absorption and emission spectra of quinizarin (1,4-dihydroxy-anthraquinone) have been investigated in hydrocarbon and alcoholic solvents. Fluorescence spectra in 3 different Shpolskii matrices were recorded at 14 K. Vibrational analyses of these spectra revealed the presence of 3, 8, and 9 sites in octane, heptane, and hexane matrices, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime was found to be 6.5 ns in hexane and EPA. Fluorescence photoselection measurements in EPA (77 K) showed that the first 4 electronic transitions of quinizarin are polarized parallel, parallel, perpendicular, and parallel to the long molecular axis and can be assigned, in order of increasing energy, to ¹B₂, ¹B₂, ¹A₁ and ¹B₂ (ππ*)→¹A₁(C_2v,) transitions, respectively. The fluorescent transition is assigned as ¹B₁ (ππ*)→¹A¹. The absence of phosphorescence is attributed to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding present which displaces the parent anthraquinone n →* states above the ππ* states, thereby rendering the intersystem crossing (S₁-T₁) radiationless pathway inefficient.
Photoselection measurements on daunorubicin, a substituted quinizarin and known anticancer drug, revealed an absorption band polarization pattern identical to that of quinizarin. These results are in part at variance with assumptions used in previous work on the intercalation specificity of daunorubicin with DNA.     

LUMINESCENCE AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF 4-THIOURIDINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract— In bidistilled water, 4-thiouridine (4TU) exhibits a weak unusual luminescence, the quantum yield of which is 3 × 10^-4 at 25°C. The excitation spectrum corresponds well to the 4TU absorption spectrum. The emission lies at longer wavelengths (Λ_max 550 nm) than the 4TU phosphorescence observed at 77 K (Λ_max, 470–480 nm). From the emission signal obtained after an excitation flash of 3 ns half-width, an "apparent" rate constant for the radiative deactivation process, shorter than 5 × 10⁶ s, can be inferred. The 300 K emission is efficiently quenched by halides and by oxygen: quenching involves a long-lived intermediate (⋍ 200 ns).
Clearly the emissive state X is populated through the S₀-S₁ electronic transition π→π* of 4TU. The nature of X cannot be unambiguously determined: it cannot be an excimer but can be either the 4TU triplet state or another chemical state distinct from the 4TU excited singlet or triplet states.
An interesting finding is that the 300 K emission and the ability of 4TU to photoreact are related: they are quenched with the same efficiency by halide anions. This indicates that quenching occurs at the same long-lived intermediate species , which is either a precursor of the emitter or the emitter itself.     

QUANTUM YIELD OF SINGLET OXYGEN PRODUCTION BY XANTHENE DERIVATIVES

The singlet oxygen quantum yield (φ₁o₂) of 11 purified fluorescein derivatives was determined by reaction with singlet oxygen acceptors in aqueous and ethanolic solutions; in both solvents φ₁o₂ was enhanced with increasing halogenation. Tryptophan and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidone were found to be unadapted for the determination of φ₁o₂, in our systems; however, the use of 9.10-dipropionic anthracene acid andp-nitrosodimethylaniline in conjunction with imidazole derivatives was suitable for ¹O₂ detection in water. Both methods lead to results in excellent agreement. As in ethanol. φ₁o₂, was equal to the triplet state quantum yield (φ_T), the comparison between the two solvents showed that φ_T in water was greater than in ethanol. The comparison between our values obtained with polychromatic light with published data obtained with monochromatic light suggests that the triplet quantum yield of fluorescein derivatives is wavelength independent.     

A THEORETICAL TREATMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC STATES OF THIONINE AND RELATED MOLECULES

Abstract— –Problems associated with the protolytic equilibria of thionine and related molecules in their lowest excited electronic states were investigated. The theoretical arguments are based on semi-empirical SCF MO (CI) calculations for the π-electronic system of these molecules; all singly excited configurations were included in the CI. The results indicate that the basic form of thionine in its ground, first excited singlet and lowest triplet state is protonated at the heterocyclic N atom. The difference of the p K values of these three states can be explained in terms of the calculated charge densities. The photochemical reactivity of the lowest triplet of the acidic form of thionine (³TH₂²⁺) differs greatly from that of the lowest triplet of the basic form (³TH⁺). Some arguments for the assignment of nπ* character to ³TH₂²⁺ and ππ* character to ³TH⁺ are advanced.