QUANTUM YIELDS FOR LASER PHOTOCYCLIZATION OF BILIRUBIN IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN. DEPENDENCE OF QUANTUM YIELD ON EXCITATION WAVELENGTH

The quantum yield for laser photocyclization of bilirubin to lumirubin in the presence of human serum albumin (phi LR) was measured at five monochromatic excitation wavelengths in the range 450-530 nm. Solutions used were optically thin throughout the wavelength range and precautions were taken to exclude contributions from photocyclization of bilirubin XIII alpha impurities. The values obtained (7.2-18 x 10(-4] were lower than those previously reported and showed the following wavelength dependence: 457.9 less than 488.0 less than 501.7 less than 514.5 approximately equal to 528.7. However, the rate of lumirubin formation, normalized to constant fluence, decreased with wavelength over the same wavelength range and no evidence was found that photoisomerization of bilirubin to lumirubin is faster with green (514.5 or 528.7 nm) than with blue (457.9 or 488.0 nm) light. The stereoselectivity of the configurational isomerization of bilirubin to 4Z,15E and 4E,15Z isomers also was studied. This reaction became less regioselective for the 4Z,15E isomer with increasing wavelength. The observed wavelength dependence of phi LR and of the [4E,15Z]: [4Z,15E] ratio at photoequilibrium are consistent with an exciton coupling model in which intramolecular energy transfer can occur between the two pyrromethenone chromophores of the bilirubin molecule in the excited state. Relative rates of lumirubin formation in vivo at different excitation wavelengths and constant fluence were estimated for different optical thicknesses and for different skin thicknesses. These estimates suggest that the recently reported clinical equivalence of blue and green phototherapy lights probably reflects the marked variation of skin transmittance with wavelength more than wavelength-dependent photochemistry. The calculations also indicated that the optimal wavelength for phototherapy is probably on the long wavelength side of the bilirubin absorption maximum.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF THE QUANTUM YIELD FOR THE STRUCTURAL ISOMERIZATION OF BILIRUBIN

The quantum yield and the relative photochemical yield for lumirubin formation from bilirubin bound to human albumin were determined at eight wavelengths from 410 to 520 nm. The quantum yield averaged 0.0015 for irradiation between 450 and 490 nm. At 410 and 430 nm the quantum yield was slightly lower. At the long wavelength end of the absorption band, from 500 to 520 nm, the quantum yield averaged 0.003. The relative photochemical yield, normalized to constant fluence, was greatest at 500 nm.     

MEASUREMENT OF THE TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF THE FLUORESCENCE QUANTUM YIELD OF ORGANIC MOLECULES IN SOLUTION

A DETAILED investigation of the temperature dependence of the fluorescence quantum yield φ_f can yield–directly or indirectly–significant information about behavior of excited states of organic molecules, such as the temperature effect on radiationless transitions and on photochemical reactivity. Variation of the temperature changes the viscosity of the solvent and, in conjunction with measurements of φ_f( T ), allows investigations of diffusion-controlled processes. For example, energy transfer and quenching processes as well as excimer or exciplex formation fall into this category. Recent review articles by Weller (1962) and Birks (1970) deal with this topic. Moreover, Huber and Mantulin (1972) have suggested that restraints placed upon geometric modifications of the excited molecule by temperature-induced changes in the solvent cage (variation of site structure) are reflected in a varying φ_f.
The purpose of this note is to describe and verify a simple procedure, accurate to about ± 5%, for measuring the relative fluorescence quantum yield as a function of temperature. A quantum yield study of 9,10-diphenylanthracene between room temperature and 77°K is employed to demonstrate the capabilities of this method. In addition, we consider an example of diffusion-controlled quenching by oxygen measured over a wide temperature range.     

QUANTUM YIELD OF PHOTOHYDRATION FOR DIMETHYLURACIL. CONCENTRATION AND WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE*

Abstract— The quantum yields for the photohydration of dimethyluracil were determined for concentrations in the range 5 × 10^--¹-^-1 × 10^--³M by use of 240–280 nm irradiation. The average quantum yield (0.0139 f 0.0005) was independent of both concentration and irradiation wavelength.     

WAVELENGTH EFFECTS ON THE PHOTOCYCLOREVERSION QUANTUM YIELD OF SOME PHOTOCHROMIC ENDOPEROXIDES

Abstract— The photocycloreversion quantum yields Q of the endoperoxides of anthradichromene, benzodixanthene and dimethylhomoocoerdianthrone have been investigated in the 248 ≤γ≤ 405 nm wavelength range. Two types of wavelength dependencies can be distinguished phenomenologically. For the excitation of the S_n (n ≥ 3) states of dimethylhomöocoerdianthrone endoperoxide γ-independent Q-values have been observed throughout 365 ≥γ≥ 265 nm. The endoperoxides of anthradichromene and benzodixanthene in contrast exhibit a quite different and unusual dependence of Q on γ. For both compounds Q first increases with photon energy until a fairly sharp maximum in Q is reached at 302 nm. With further increasing energy Q falls off and approaches a wavelength independent plateau between 280 and 248 nm. The S₁-states of the endoperoxides investigated are inactive for photocycloreversion, which is generally found in endoperoxide photochemistry. The wavelength dependencies observed reveal that the photocycloreversion of endoperoxides deviates remarkably from the commonly accepted generalization that photochemical reactions in solution phase should only occur from the lowest excited singlet or triplet states.     

THE FLUORESCENCE OF ADENINE. THE EFFECTS OF SOLVENT AND TEMPERATURE ON THE QUANTUM YIELD

Abstract— To investigate the mechanism of the solvent and thermal quenching of fluorescence, the absolute fluorescence quantum yield of adenine has been determined in several alcoholic glasses as a function of the concentration (10^-5-10^-4M) and temperature (77°-298°K). The yield is independent of the concentration but increases with decreasing temperature and increasing bulk cohesion and rigidity of the solvent.
The environmental effects on the yield are attributed to radiationless electronic relaxation processes caused by solute-solvent interaction. Increasing the temperature and decreasing the intra-solvent cohesion cause increases in the interaction and therefore accelerate the relaxation. The rate determining step behaves like a diffusion in the limit of low viscosity.     

THE DEPENDENCE OF THE QUANTUM YIELD OF LIGAND PHOTODISSOCIATION FROM HAEM PROTEINS ON ULTRAFAST RECOMBINATION

Abstract— Measurements of relative photolysis yields in nanosecond flash photolysis studies of carbon monoxide and dioxygen complexes of haemoglobin and myoglobin are compared with published values of the quantum efficiency for photodissociation obtained from microsecond flash or continuous photolysis studies. It is shown that the differences in quantum yield between HbCO and MbCO and between Hb0₂ and Mb0₂ can be correlated with the different extent of ultrafast recombination observed in the nanosecond experiments. Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the quantum yield in the case of HbCO can be entirely attributed to the effect of temperature on the ultrafast recombination.     

RESOLUTION OF THE FLUORESCENCE EXCITATION SPECTRUM OF INDOLE INTO THE 1La AND 1Lb EXCITATION BANDS*

Abstract— The fluorescence excitation spectrum and the excitation polarization spectrum of indole in propylene glycol were measured at — 58°C, after selecting by optical filters the emission originating from the ¹L_a electronic level. From the analysis of these spectra, the excitation spectrum was resolved into the ¹L_a and ¹L_a excitation bands. A similar resolution of the excitation spectrum of tryptophan is given. This method can also be applied to the resolution of the emission spectrum in cases of dual emission.     

FLUORESCENCE OF MELANIN-DEPENDENCE UPON EXCITATION WAVELENGTH AND CONCENTRATION

Abstract— An introduction to the fundamental characteristics of synthetic melanin fluorescence is presented. The particular difficulties associated with the detection and reduction of the relatively weak signal are discussed and a technique is described for correcting the fluorescence spectra for attenuation of the excitation and emission beams. Spectra are reported for the excitation wavelength range 340–400 nm and an emission range of 360–560 nm. The concentration dependence of the corrected fluorescence signal is examined and is shown to be linear. The variation of the fluorescence spectra with excitation wavelength suggests a two-component fluorescence, for the wavelength range studied. The presence of an isosbestic point in the spectra is used to identify the fluorophores as components of a reaction equilibrium. The possible relationship of this equilibrium to that associated with the melanin photo ESR is discussed     

PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF TYPE I ACID-SOLUBLE CALF SKIN COLLAGEN: DEPENDENCE ON EXCITATION WAVELENGTH

Although previous studies have demonstrated that the predominant photochemistry of type I collagen under 254 nm irradiation may be attributed either to direct absorption by tyrosine/phenylalanine or to peptide bonds, direct collagen photochemistry via solar UV wavelengths is much more likely to involve several age- and tissue-related photolabile collagen fluorophores that absorb in the latter region. In this study, we compare and contrast results obtained from irradiation of a commercial preparation of acid-soluble calf skin type I collagen in solution with UVC (primarily 254 nm), UVA (335–400nm) and broad-band solar-simulating radiation (SSR; 290^1–00nm). Excitation spectroscopy and analysis of photochemically induced disappearance of fluorescence (fluorescence fading) indicates that this preparation has at least four photolabile fluorescent chromophores. In addition to tyrosine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, our sample contains two other fluorophores. Chromophore I, with emission maximum at 360 nm, appears to be derived from interacting aromatic moieties in close mutual proximity. Chromophore II, with broad emission at430–435 nm, may be composed of one or more age-related molecules. Collagen fluorescence fading kinetics are sensitive to excitation wavelength and to conformation. Under UVC, chromophore I fluorescence disappears with second-order kinetics, indicating a reaction between two proximal like molecules. Adherence to second-order kinetics is abrogated by prior denaturation of the collagen sample. A new broad, weak fluorescence band at400–420 nm, attributable to dityrosine, forms under UVC, but not under solar radiation. This band is photolabile to UVA and UVB wavelengths. Amino acid analysis indicates significant destruction of aromatic amino acids under UVC, but not under UVA or SSR. When properly understood, collagen fluorescence fading phenomena may act as a sensitive molecular probe of structure, conformation and reactivity.     

DEPENDENCE OF THE TRIPLET YIELD ON EXCITATION ENERGY IN ALL-TRANS AND 11-CIS RETINAL*

Abstract. The triplet-triplet absorption of all-trans and 11- cis retinal was measured as a function of the exciting radiation from 423 nm to 365 nm in a glass of 3-methylpentane at 77 K. This experiment was also accomplished with all-trans retinal in hexane at ambient temperature. The relative triplet formation quantum yields of all-trans and 11-cis retinal at 77 K were found to be independent (±10%) of the frequency of the exciting radiation. At room temperature we measured an increase in this relative quantum yield for all- trans retinal from 1.0 at 365 nm to 1.82 at 423 nm [Bensasson et al. (1975) measured an absolute quantum yield of 0.45 at 353 nm]. These results are used to evaluate previous interpretations for photophysical decay processes in all-trans retinal, and previous suggestions for wavelength dependent radiationless transitions are shown to be unacceptable. High energy excitation of 300 K solutions of all- trans retinal produce excited states that result in less efficient intersystem crossing. These states appear to be inaccessible in the 77 K matrices. We suggest that steric restrictions introduced by the retinal matrix interaction at 77 K are able to block this new internal conversion pathway back to the ground state.     

SOLVENT DEPENDENCE OF THE QUANTUM YIELD OF TRIPLET STATE PRODUCTION OF 9-PHENYLANTHRACENE

Abstract— Values of φ T , the quantum yield of triplet state production of 9-phenylanthracene, have been determined in four different solvents by measuring the effects which 'heavy atom quenchers' have on the fluorescence intensity and the triplet state absorption of the solute. A variety of quenchers have been used including organic and inorganic halides and the rare gas, Xenon. There is a converse solvent dependence of φ F and φ T , and for each of the four solvents used φ F +φ T has been found to be unity within experimental error.     

WAVELENGTH EFFECTS ON THE PHOTOPROCESSES OF INDOLE AND DERIVATIVES IN SOLUTION

Abstract— The two main primary photoprocesses (electron ejection and H-atom release) for indole, 5-methoxyindole and N-methylindole in various polar and nonpolar solvents were studied as a function of the excitation energy and were correlated with the corresponding fluorescence quantum yields. In hydrocarbon solvents, N–H bond cleavage is the main primary photoprocess from the ¹B_b band of the substrates with the exception of N-methylindole. In alcohols, both processes are of negligible importance. Hydrated electrons (e⁻_aq) are ejected from the relaxed singlet states of all three compounds in aqueous solutions with a similar yield for excitation at 280 and 254 nm (¹L_a and ¹L_b states). The yield increases when the excitation is into the ¹B_b band. The quantum yields of the two primary processes from the higher excited states are generally lower than the fraction of molecules not converting to the fluorescent state. This is explained by an efficient back reaction in competition with a thermally activated radical release from an intermediate state or radical pair formed from the S₂ (¹B_b) state. The non-occurrence of a photoionization energy threshold is discussed.     

TRYPTOPHAN FLUORESCENCE LIFETIMES AS A FUNCTION OF EXCITATION WAVELENGTH*

Abstract— –Fluorescence decay times of aqueous dilute solutions (?20 µM) of L-tryptophan have been determined using the phase shift technique as well as single photon-counting coupled with synchrotron radiation (ACO at Orsay and SPEAR at Stanford). Decay times were obtained as a function of the excitation wavelength (in the spectral region 220–320 nm) monitoring emission of λ> 320 nm (in certain specified cases, λ> 360 nm). We have found that, at neutral pH and 20°C. fluorescence decays are single exponentials and independent of the excitation wavelength; under these conditions we find τ= 3.1 ± 0.1 ns.     

QUANTITATIVE SPECTROFLUORIMETRY-THE FLUORESCENCE QUANTUM YIELD OF QUININE SULFATE

Abstract— By idealizing the design of a typical spectrofluorimeter that measures fluorescence from dilute solutions, we are able to derive an equation that predicts the dependence of the observable amplitude on the concentration of the solute and on several instrumental parameters. The result of the derivation, the fluorescence function, is used together with measurements of rhodamine B fluorescence and colloidal silica scattering to calibrate a spectrofluorimeter.
The fluorescence function and the calibration data are used to determine the absolute fluorescence quantum yield of quinine sulfate in 0–1 N H₂ So₄. The results, Ø₂₅₀=0.582 with excitation at 250 mμ, adn Ø₃₅₀=0.577 with excitation at 350mμ. agree well with the previous evaluation of Melhuish, Ø₃₄₅=0.546.     

EXCITATION WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF PROTOTROPIC DISSOCIATION AND TAUTOMERISM OF SALICYLAMIDE IN THE LOWEST EXCITED SINGLET STATE

Abstract—The fluorescence spectra of salicylamide in cyclohexane, ethanol and at different pH in water were studied. The short and long wavelength fluorescences observed in the organic solvents originate from emissions of a weakly or non-intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer and from phototautomerization of a strongly intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer, respectively. Evidence for at least 2 conformers in the ground state exists in the excitation wavelength dependence of the ratio of short wavelength to long wavelength emission. In water, prototropic dissociation of the phenolic group of salicylamide in the lowest excited singlet state also shows an excitation wavelength dependence, indicating that the weakly or non-intramolecularly hydrogen bonded conformer in water is predominately responsible for photodissociation.     

WAVELENGTH DEPENDENCE OF QUANTUM YIELDS AND PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION IN THE ANAEROBIC PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF BILIRUBIN DIMETHYL ESTER

Abstract— ( Z,Z )-Bilirubin dimethyl ester exists in two or more forms in solution, and photorearranges to the ( E,Z )- and ( Z,E )-isomers. Deaerated solutions of bilirubin dimethyl ester in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and chloroform/ethanol were irradiated with light of 10nm bandwidth in the range 380–470 nm at room temperature. Absorption difference spectroscopy showed that the solution forms of bilirubin dimethyl ester differ in their photoreactivity, and that the quantum yields of their disappearance and the distribution of the photorearrangement isomers are wavelength dependent.     

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.