Structural and solvent dependence of superexciplex

In this paper, we show that a few coumarin dye solutions exhibit dual amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectra under pulsed laser excitation, though all these solutions exhibit only one fluorescence band under steady-state conditions. The anomalous band, appearing only in ASE spectra, had been attributed to the superexciplex--a new molecular species. This is made of two excited molecules and is obtainable only under pulsed laser excitation. This complex is different from the well known excimer or exciplex, wherein only one atom or molecule is in the excited state. The superexciplex is possible with the two polar excited molecules coming together to form an excited state association, with the solvent acting as some sort of bridge. With very polar dye molecules, such an association is possible even with the inert benzene acting as a bridge; otherwise solvents like ethyl acetate, with an oxygen atom, is necessary for the linkage.     

Dual amplified spontaneous emission as evidence for superexciplex from the dye LD473

Pulsed laser excitation of certain laser dye solutions prepares the sample molecules in a condition, unavailable under steady state lamp excitation. Excited molecules in large concentration obtainable under intense pulse laser pumping appear to undergo superexciplex interaction in which two excited molecules form an association with a solvent molecule acting as a link. This paper shows some of the important features of such superexciplexes with LD473 dye molecule as a reference.     

Effect of ethanol on the aggregation properties of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant

Surfactant aggregation properties in aqueous and mixed organic/aqueous solutions have attracted considerable interests especially for the applications to the template synthesis of nanoporous inorganic materials. In this work, we study the aggregation behavior of cetyl trimethylammonium bromide surfactant in both aqueous and mixed water/ethanol solutions by the steady-state fluorescence probe technique. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and the micelle aggregation number were determined in solutions with different ethanol contents. The CMC increases and the aggregation number decreases with increasing ethanol content in solutions. The effect of ethanol on the micelle formation can be treated as a structure breaking process. The density functional theory was used to calculate the charge density distribution over the surfactant molecules in different solvents. The results obtained reveal that the micelle size distribution in solutions can be adjusted by varying the content of ethanol in solvents.__________From Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 67, No. 2, 2005, pp. 186–191.Original English Text Copyright © 2005 by Li, Han, Zhang, Wang.This article was submitted by the authors in English.     

The fluorescence of 5-cyano-2-(1-pyrrolyl)-pyridine (CPP) in different solvents and in solid argon: An experimental and theoretical study

The fluorescence spectrum of 5-cyano-2-(1-pyrrolyl)-pyridine (CPP) was measured in several solvents as well as in an argon matrix. Based on comparison with other compounds and on ab initio calculations it is proposed that the fluorescence in the argon matrix and in non-polar solvents is due to two electronic excited states: one is of locally excited nature, the other a charge transfer (CT) state. In polar solvents the spectrum is dominated by the CT emission. The photo-physical behavior of CPP is discussed by comparison with that of other molecules exhibiting dual fluorescence and in view of a recent model developed for the benzene analog.     

Spectral and photophysical properties of zinc(II) complexes with alkylsubstituted derivatives of dipyrrolylmethene and their resistance to protolytic dissociation and photochemical destruction

The spectral and photophysical properties of zinc(II) complexes with alkylsubstituted derivatives of dipyrrolylmethene, along with the kinetics of their protolytic dissociation and photochemical degradation in organic solvents of different natures, are studied by means of electronic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. It is found that protic solvents have the strongest effect on absorption spectra, while electron donors affect fluorescence spectra due to differences in the mechanisms of solvation for the ground and excited states of molecules. It is shown that the reaction product of the protolytic dissociation of complexes in benzene solutions of acetic acid is a protonated form of ligand. The observable and genuine rate constants of dissociation reactions are determined and activation parameters are calculated. A kinetic model of the process is proposed, and the regularities of the effect the nature of ligand has on the kinetics of dissociation are established. The photochemical degradation of compounds proceeds on monopyrrole products, the photolysis rate falls as the a degree of alkylation increases, and the nature of the substituent in the β-position of the ligand’s pyrrole ring has a greater effect on the stability of a compound.     

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.     

On the development of sensor molecules that display Fe(III)-amplified fluorescence

Incorporation of a tailor-made size-restricted dithia-aza-oxa macrocycle, 1-oxa-4,10-dithia-7-aza-cyclododecane, via a phenyl linker into two fluorescent sensor molecules with electronically decoupled, rigidly fixed, and sterically preoriented architectures, a 1,3,5-triaryl-Delta2-pyrazoline and a meso-substituted boron-dipyrromethene (BDP), yields amplified fluorescence in the red-visible spectral range upon binding of Fe(III) ions. The response to Fe(III) and potentially interfering metal ions is studied in highly polar aprotic and protic solvents for both probes as well as in neat and buffered aqueous solution for one of the sensor molecules, the BDP derivative. In organic solvents, the fluorescence of both indicators is quenched by an intramolecular charge or electron transfer in the excited state and coordination of Fe(III) leads to a revival of their fluorescence without pronounced spectral shifts. Most remarkably, the unbound BDP derivative shows dual emission in water and can be employed for the selective ratiometric signaling of Fe(III) in buffered aqueous solutions.     

TDDFT Study on Different Sensing Mechanisms of Similar Cyanide Sensors Based on Michael Addition Reaction

The solvents and substituents of two similar fluorescent sensors for cyanide, 7-diethylamino-3-formylcoumarin (sensor a) and 7-diethylamino-3-(2-nitrovinyl)coumarin (sensor b), are proposed to account for their distinct sensing mechanisms and experimental phenomena. The time-dependent density functional theory has been applied to investigate the ground states and the first singlet excited electronic states of the sensor as well as their possible Michael reaction products with cyanide, with a view to monitoring their geometries and photophysical properties. The theoretical study indicates that the protic water solvent could lead to final Michael addition product of sensor a in the ground state, while the aprotic acetonitrile solvent could lead to carbanion as the final product of sensor b. Furthermore, the Michael reaction product of sensor a has been proved to have a torsion structure in its first singlet excited state. Correspondingly, sensor b also has a torsion structure around the nitrovinyl moiety in its first singlet excited state, while not in its carbanion structure. This could explain the observed strong fluorescence for sensor a and the quenching fluorescence for the sensor b upon the addition of the cyanide anions in the relevant sensing mechanisms.     

Role of dipole moment of solvents in formation and stabilization of the TICT states in Coumarin 445 under nitrogen laser excitation

In this paper we report the observation of dual Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) from solutions of 7-ethylamino-4-methyl coumarin dye (Coumarin 445) in certain solvents such as n-butyl acetate, dioxane etc. when pumped by high power nitrogen laser. The two ASE bands appear to be from two different excited species (ICT and TICT conformation) one of which is the precursor of the other. The spectral characteristics of dye Coumarin 445 depend upon the solvent environment. The TICT coumarin photoisomers, which form exciplexes with the solvent molecules, have enough gain to produce amplified spontaneous emission even when there is apparently no detectable fluorescence. The behaviour of this dye in the excited state is studied by measuring the small signal gain and variation of the gain slope with temperature in different solvents. It is observed that polarity of the solvent plays a more dominant role in formation and stabilization of TICT states.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Quercetin Derivatives, Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside and Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, in Hydro-organic Mixed Solvents

The characteristic fluorescence properties of quercetin-3- O -rhamnoside (QCRM) and quercetin-3- O -rutinoside (QCRT) were studied in CH₃OH–H₂O and CH₃CN–H₂O mixed solvents. Although QCRM and QCRT are known as nonfluorescent molecules, significant fluorescence emissions were discovered at 360 nm in CH₃OH and CH₃CN when they were promoted to the second excited state. The emission band is broad and structureless and the intensity decreases quickly as the H₂O composition in the solvent increases. When the amount of H₂O exceeds 60% in both mixed solvents, this emission disappears due to the formation of the distorted excited state. This state will be formed due to the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the polar groups of solute and H₂O. As the composition of CH₃OH or CH₃CN in solvent becomes large, the number of molecules having several intramolecular hydrogen bonding increases. Some of these molecules will be changed to a fluorescent species during the decay process, after excitation. The theoretical calculation further supports these results. The change of the lifetimes, quantum yields, and radiative and nonradiative rate constants of molecules was also examined as a function of solvatochromic parameters for CH₃OH–H₂O and CH₃CN–H₂O.     

Photophysical Properties of the Cationic Form of Neutral Red

Abstract— Photophysical properties of the cationic form of neutral red (NRH⁺), a phenazine-based dye of biological importance, have been investigated in several protic and aprotic solvents using optical absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and picosecond laser flash photolysis techniques. Absorption and fluorescence characteristics of the dye in protic solvents indicate the existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the NRH⁺ and solvent molecules in the ground state as well as in the excited state. Measurements of the fluorescence lifetime in normal and heavy water also support the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Time-resolved transient absorption spectra obtained in the picosecond laser flash photolysis experiments show only the absorption band due to the S_n← S₁ absorption. The picosecond transient absorption results do not indicate any spectral shifts attributable to the hydrogen bond formation dynamics between the excited NRH⁺ and the protic solvent molecules. It is inferred that the hydrogen bonding dynamics are much faster than the time resolution of our picosecond setup (∼35 ps).     

S2 fluorescence and ultrafast relaxation dynamics of the S2 and S1 states of a ketocyanine dye

Dynamics of the excited singlet (both the S2 and S1) states of a ketocyanine dye, namely, 2,5-bis[(2,3-dihydroindolyl)-propylene]-cyclopentanone (KCD), have been investigated in different kinds of media using steady-state absorption and emission as well as femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic techniques. Steady-state fluorescence measurements, following photoexcitation of KCD to its second excited singlet state, reveal dual fluorescence (emission from both the S2 and S1 states) behavior. Although the intensity of the S2 --> S0 fluorescence is weaker than that of the S1 --> S0 fluorescence in solutions at room temperature (298 K), the former becomes as much as or more intense than the latter in rigid matrixes at 77 K. The lifetime of the S2 state is short and varies between 0.2 and 0.6 ps in different solvents. After its creation, the S2 state undergoes two simultaneous processes, namely, S2 --> S0 fluorescence and S2 --> S1 internal conversion. Time-resolved measurements reveal the presence of an ultrafast component in the decay dynamics of the S1 state. A good correlation between the lifetime of this component and the longitudinal relaxation times (tauL) of the solvents suggests that this component arises due to solvation in polar solvents. More significant evolution of the spectroscopic properties of the S1 state in alcoholic solvents in the ultrafast time domain has been explained by the occurrence of the repositioning of the hydrogen bonds around the carbonyl group in the excited state of KCD. In 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, a strongly hydrogen bond donating solvent, it has even been possible to establish the existence of two distinct forms of the S1 state, namely, the non-hydrogen-bonded (or free) molecule and the hydrogen-bonded complex.     

Femtosecond fluorescence studies of self-assembled helical aggregates in solution

For the diamino-bipyridine based C(3)-symmetrical disk molecule, TAB, (sub)picosecond fluorescence transients have been observed by means of femtosecond fluorescence upconversion and picosecond time-correlated photon counting techniques. The dodecyl peripheral side chains of the synthetic compound are large enough to allow, in apolar solvents, self-assembling of the discotic molecules to helical aggregates. In polar solvents, the hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions pertaining to the chiral aggregation are compensated by solvation and self-assembling of the disklike molecules is disrupted. For comparison, time-resolved fluorescence measurements have been performed for the subgroup molecule, DAC, which is the (asymmetric) building block for TAB. It is concluded that, after pulsed photoexcitation, TAB and DAC exhibit excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer (ESIDPT) with a typical time of approximately 200-300 fs, irrespective of the degree of aggregation. Picosecond components in the fluorescence of TAB and DAC, ranging from 3 to 25 ps, are representative of vibrational cooling effects in the excited product state. Only aggregated TAB shows a rapid ( approximately 1 ps) decay of its fluorescence anisotropy. This component is attributed to excited-state energy transfer within the aggregate. Finally, the excited-state lifetime of TAB in the aggregated form is found to be an order of magnitude longer than that for TAB in its nonaggregated form. It is inferred that aggregation diminishes the influence of low-frequency twisting motions in the radiationless decay of the excited state.     

FEMTOSECOND STUDIES OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE IN SOLUTION: EFFECT OF pH AND SOLVENT ON THE EXCITED STATE DYNAMICS

Abstract We report direct femtosecond measurements of the excited state dynamics of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) in solution. The dynamics are found to be very sensitive to the solvent and pH of aqueous solutions. The decay of the excited singlet states is much faster in acidic and pH 7 buffer aqueous solutions (<230 ps) than in basic aqueous solutions or organic solvents (> 10 ns). The dynamical results show strong correlation with static fluorescence measurements: weaker fluorescence in acidic and pH 7 buffer solutions corresponding to shorter-lived excited states. A new fast decay component with a time constant around 5 ps is identified both in acidic aqueous solutions and in organic solvents such as acetone and attributed to internal conversion from the second to the first excited singlet state of aggregates or certain oligomers in HpD, in accord with the observation that the fast decay component is larger at a higher concentration. Oxygen is found to have no effect on the dynamics on the time scale investigated, 1 ns, indicating that oxygen quenching of the singlet excited states is insignificant on this time scale. The sensitive solvent and pH dependence of the excited state dynamics has important clinical implications in the use of HpD as a photosensitizing agent.     

TICT state formation in the 4′-dimethylaminoacetophenone–α-cyclodexdtrin inclusion complex

Fluorescence properties of excited 4′-dimethylaminoacetophenone (DMAAP) complexed with α-cyclodextrin (CD) were studied. The complex exhibited dual fluorescence in neutral aqueous solutions and no TICT fluorescence was observed in alkaline solutions. The dependence of TICT emission intensity on pH and α-CD concentration suggested that a 1:2 DMAAP–α-CD complex, which was formed by the association of the 1:1 complex and α-CD, was responsible for the TICT fluorescence.     

Aggregation-induced emission of tetraphenylethene derivative as a fluorescence method for probing the assembling/disassembling of amphiphilic molecules

The aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of a 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-di(p-tolyl)ethene (TPE) was explored as a novel fluorescence method for probing the assembling/disassembling of amphiphilic molecules. The fluorescence intensity was able to monitor the formation of micelles and determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactants. The temperature-dependent micellization of the pharmaceutically important PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer, Pluronic F127, was further studied by using the TPE fluorescence spectrum intensity. Our results showed good agreement with those reported in the literature by using other methods. The special advantage of the AIE probe method was further explored to determine the assembling/disassembling process of the colored amphiphilic molecule, 1-[4-(3-phenylazophenoxy)butyl]triethylamine bromide (AzoC4), whose CMC value has not previously been described. Since the TPE fluorescence signal mainly comes from the aqueous phase, not from the inside of hydrophobic core, it provides a possible platform to study the CMC of those colored surfactants. Based on the novel fluorescence properties of TPE in the aggregated and dispersed states, one can conclude that the TPE method is a promising method for the determination of the CMC and critical micellization temperature (CMT), particularly having a special advantage to determine the assembling/disassembling process of colored amphiphilic molecules.     

Intra- and intermolecular fluorescence quenching in 7-(pyridyl)indoles

Three isomeric 7-(pyridyl)indoles reveal very different, solvent-dependent photophysical properties. Due to rapid excited state depopulation involving intramolecular hydrogen bonding, 7-(2′-pyridyl)indole is practically nonfluorescent at room temperature. In nonpolar and polar aprotic solvents, 7-(3′-pyridyl)indole and 7-(4′-pyridyl)indole fluorescence strongly, but the emission is quenched in alcohols. Syn and anti rotameric forms of 7-(3′-pyridyl)indole are detected, each quenched to a different degree. This differential quenching is interpreted as evidence of enhanced S₁ → S₀ internal conversion being more efficient in cyclic solvates, with alcohol molecules forming a bridge between the proton donor and acceptor groups of an excited chromophore.     

The fluorescent oxidation products of dihydroxyphenylalanine and its esters

Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), its methyl ester (DOPAM) and the N-acetylated derivative of the ester (DOPAMNA) are found to undergo rapid oxidation in air-saturated alkaline solution. Some of the products of oxidation exhibit fluorescent emission in the 300-500 nm spectral range and their excitation-emission spectra have been determined in acidic and alkaline aqueous solutions. The spectral distributions and positions of the maxima depend on the pH of the solution. Excitation-emission maxima associated with the protonated phenolic form of the compounds occur at shorter wavelengths than those of the conjugate base. At some pH values the phenolic forms of these molecules are excited and undergo rapid deprotonation in the excited state; as a consequence, emission is observed from the phenolate anion. The fluorescence excitation-emission spectrum of an authentic sample of 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic (caffeic) acid has also been determined and features of the fluorescence spectra of the principal oxidation products are consistent with the presence of 3,4-hydroxycinnamoyl compounds in solutions of oxidized DOPAM and DOPAMNA.     

Spectral properties and inclusion of 3-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-(2-furanyl)prop-2-en-1-one in organized media of micellar solutions, beta-cyclodextrin and viscous medium

On the line of a previous work on the spectral properties of some of heteroaryl chalcone, the absorption and fluorescence emission spectral properties of 3-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-(2-furanyl)prop-2-en-1-one (DMAFP), have been investigated in organized media of aqueous micellar and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) solutions. While the absorption spectra are less sensitive to the nature of the added surfactant or beta-CD, the characteristics of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescence are highly sensitive to the properties of the medium. The ICT maximum is strongly blue-shifted with a great enhancement in the fluorescence quantum yield on adding micellar or beta-CD. This indicates the solubilization of DMAFP in the micellar core and formation of an inclusion complex with beta-CD. The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) as well as the polarity of the micellar core of SDS, CTAB and TX-100 have been determined. The CMC values are in good agreement with the reported values while the polarity is lower indicating that DMAFP molecules are incorporated in the micellar core not at the micellar interface. The inclusion constants of binding of DMAFP in micellar or beta-CD have been also determined. The thermodynamic parameters of formation of DMAFP:CD inclusion complex have been calculated from the temperature dependence of the fluorescence spectra of the formed complex. The highly negative value of formation entropy (DeltaS=-98.0Jmol(-1)K(-1)) reflects the high restrictions imposed on the movement of both the host and included guest molecules which is consistent with the increase of the fluorescence yield and blue shift of the fluorescence maximum.     

Micellar Formation Study of Crown Ether Surfactants

Fluorescence probe and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods were employed to investigate the micellation of prepared crown ether surfactants, e.g. decyl 15‐crown‐5 and decyl 18‐crown‐6. Pyrene was employed as the fluorescence probe to evaluate the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of these surfactants in aqueous solutions while spin lattice relaxation times (T₁) and chemical shifts of H‐1 NMR were applied in non‐aqueous solutions. Decyl 15‐crown‐5 with lower CMC forms micelles much easier than decyl 18‐crown‐6 with higher CMC in aqueous solutions, whereas decyl 18‐crown‐6 forms micelles easier than decyl 15‐crown‐5 in nonaqueous solutions. Comparison of the CMC of crown ether surfactants and other polyoxyethylene surfactants such as decylhexaethylene glycol was made. Effects of salts and solvents on the micellar formation were also investigated. In general, additions of both alkali metal salts and polar organic solvents into the aqueous surfactant solutions increased in the CMC of these surfactants. The formation of micelles in organic solvents such as methanol and acetonitrile was successfully observed by the NMR method while it was difficult to study these surfactants in organic solutions by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. The NMR study revealed that the formation of micelles resulted in the decrease in all H‐1 spin lattice relaxation times (T₁) of hydrophobic groups, e.g. CH₃ and CH₂, and hydrophilic group OCH₂ of these surfactants. However, upon the micellar formation, the H‐1 chemical shifts (δ) of these surfactant hydrophobic groups were found to shift to downfield (increased δ) while the chemical shift of the hydrophilic group OCH₂ moved to up‐field. Comparison of the spin lattice relaxation time and H‐1 chemical shift methods was also made and discussed.