Molecular Encapsulation of Fluorescent Dyes Affords Efficient Narrow‐band Dye Laser Operation in Water

A water‐based narrow‐band high‐efficiency dye laser was designed by means of a supramolecular host–guest chemical approach. The lasing characteristics of rhodamine B and sulforhodamine B (Kiton Red S) dyes in aqueous solution with the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) as additive were investigated in a narrow‐band dye laser setup. Significant improvements in both photostability and thermo‐optical properties of the aqueous CB7‐complexed dye systems were observed as compared to the uncomplexed dyes in ethanol solution. The tuning curves for the new dye–CB7–water systems were constructed by measuring the laser output at different wavelengths, which showed similar peak efficiencies and red‐shifted gains compared to the ethanolic solutions of the dyes, while dye laser operation revealed comparable pump threshold energies and slope efficiencies. The combined results render the dye–CB7–water system an attractive active medium for high‐repetition rate dye laser operation.     

Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles by Silylation

Shining nanosil : Fluorescent trimethoxysilanes were prepared by the hydrosilylation of N‐allyl perylene tetracarboxylic diimides and used for the covalent grafting of silica and silica nanoparticles (see picture). The fluorescent chromophores operate independently at the surface of these particles.

     

Bis(merocyanine) Homo-Folda-Dimers: Evaluation of Electronic and Spectral Changes in Well-Defined Dye Aggregate Geometries

A series of three bis(merocyanine) dyes comprising chromophores of different conjugation lengths has been synthesized and the intramolecular aggregation process was investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. The spectral changes observed upon variation of the solvent polarity reveal a folding process resulting in a cofacial π-stack of two chromophores with a decrease of the aggregation tendency with increasing chromophore length and solvent polarity. Solvent-dependent UV/Vis studies of the monomeric reference dyes show a significant increase of the polyene-like character for dyes with longer polymethine chains in nonpolar solvents, which is reversed upon aggregation due to the polarizability effect of the adjacent chromophore within the dye stack. The pronounced hypsochromic shift of the absorption band observed upon aggregation indicates strong coupling of the dyes’ transition dipole moments, which was confirmed by quantum-chemical analysis.     

Isolation and Characterization of Precise Dye/Dendrimer Ratios

Fluorescent dyes are commonly conjugated to nanomaterials for imaging applications using stochastic synthesis conditions that result in a Poisson distribution of dye/particle ratios and therefore a broad range of photophysical and biodistribution properties. We report the isolation and characterization of generation 5 poly(amidoamine) (G5 PAMAM) dendrimer samples containing 1, 2, 3, and 4 fluorescein (FC) or 6‐carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester (TAMRA) dyes per polymer particle. For the fluorescein case, this was achieved by stochastically functionalizing dendrimer with a cyclooctyne “click” ligand, separation into sample containing precisely defined “click” ligand/particle ratios using reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), followed by reaction with excess azide‐functionalized fluorescein dye. For the TAMRA samples, stochastically functionalized dendrimer was directly separated into precise dye/particle ratios using RP‐HPLC. These materials were characterized using ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, RP‐HPLC, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, lifetime measurements, and MALDI.     

Spermine‐Functionalized Perylene Bisimide Dyes—Highly Fluorescent Bola‐Amphiphiles in Water

A series of four spermine‐functionalized perylene bisimide dyes without linkers ( 1 ) and with linkers ( 2 – 4 ) between the chromophore and the polyamine was synthesized. Protonation of the spermine moieties resulted in the formation of highly water‐soluble dyes with up to six positively charged ammonium ions. The aggregation behavior of these strongly fluorescent bola‐amphiphiles was studied in pure water as solvent by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and an astonishingly high fluorescence quantum yield of up to Φ_fl=0.90 was observed for PBI 1 . Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied for the visualization of the aggregates on surfaces. Molecular modeling studies were performed by force‐field calculations to explore the aggregate morphologies, which also provided valuable information on the influence of the additional alkylcarbonyl linkers. Our detailed spectroscopic and microscopic investigations revealed that the excellent optical properties of perylene bisimide chromophores can be used even in pure deionized water if their aggregation is efficiently suppressed.     

On the Design of Fluorescent Ratiometric Nanosensors

Advances in nanoparticle technology have recently offered new tools to the bioanalytical field of research. In particular, new nanoparticle‐based sensors have appeared able to give quantitative information about different species (ions, metabolites, biomolecules) in biosamples through ratiometric measurements. This article describes the methodologies developed so far in the design of such nanosensors. In particular, the different approaches to immobilize fluorescent chemosensor dyes to nanoparticles are presented. Concept designs of ratiometric nanosensors in terms of composition and architecture are also described and illustrated with examples taken from the literature.     

Tuning the Nature of the Fluorescent State: A Substituted Polycondensed Dye as a Case Study

An extensive spectroscopic analysis is presented of an elongated polycondensed dye with a donor–acceptor substitution. The charge‐transfer (CT) state, polarized along the long molecular axis, is close in energy to a local excitation (LE) of the polycondensed system, roughly polarized along the short molecular axis, which makes this system particularly suitable to investigate the subtle LE/CT interplay. An essential‐state model is presented that quantitatively reproduces absorption and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence emission and excitation anisotropy spectra collected in solvents of different polarity and viscosity, which sets a sound basis for the understanding of how solvent polarity and solvent relaxation affect the nature of low‐lying excitations. The markedly different fluorescence emission and excitation anisotropy spectra measured in glassy and liquid polar solvents unambiguously demonstrate the major role played by solvent relaxation in the definition of fluorescence properties of the dye.     

Thiazole Orange Dimers in DNA: Fluorescent Base Substitutions with Hybridization Readout

By using (S)‐2‐amino‐1,3‐propanediol as a linker, thiazole orange (TO) was incorporated in a dimeric form into DNA. The green fluorescence (λ=530 nm) of the intrastrand TO dimer is quenched, whereas the interstrand TO dimer shows a characteristic redshifted orange emission (λ=585 nm). Steady‐state optical spectroscopic methods reveal that the TO dimer fluorescence is independent of the sequential base contexts. Time‐resolved pump–probe measurements and excitation spectra reveal the coexistence of conformations, including mainly stacked TO dimers and partially unstacked ones, which yield exciton and excimer contributions to the fluorescence, respectively. The helicity of the DNA framework distorts the excitonic coupling. In particular, the interstrand TO dimer could be regarded as an excitonically interacting base pair with fluorescence readout for DNA hybridization. Finally, the use of this fluorescent readout was representatively demonstrated in molecular beacons.     

Bulky Barbiturates as Non-Toxic Ionic Dye Insulators for Enhanced Emission in Polymeric Nanoparticles

Bulky hydrophobic counterions (weakly coordinating anions) can insulate ionic dyes against aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and enable preparation of highly fluorescent dye-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for bioimaging, biosensing and light harvesting. Here, we introduce a family of hydrophobic anions based on fluorinated C-acyl barbiturates with delocalized negative charge and bulky non-polar groups. Similarly to fluorinated tetraphenylborates, these barbiturates prevent ACQ of cationic dye alkyl rhodamine B inside polymer NPs made of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Their efficiency to prevent ACQ increases for analogues with higher acidity and bulkiness. Their structure controls dye-dye communication, yielding bright NPs with on/off switching or stable emission. They enhance dye encapsulation inside NPs, allowing intracellular imaging without dye leakage. Compared to fluorinated tetraphenylborates known as cytotoxic transmembrane ion transporters, the barbiturates display a significantly lower cytotoxicity. These chemically available and versatile barbiturate derivatives are promising counterion scaffolds for preparation of bright non-toxic fluorescent nanomaterials.     

Synthesis and Photophysics of a New Family of Fluorescent 9‐Alkyl‐Substituted Xanthenones

9‐Alkyl xanthenones with different aliphatic pendant groups have been easily prepared by means of nucleophilic addition of the corresponding Grignard derivative to a tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether (TBDMS)‐protected 3,6‐dihydroxy‐xanthenone. The photophysical behavior of the new dyes has been explored by using absorption, steady‐state‐, and time‐resolved fluorescence measurements. We determined the equilibrium constants, visible spectral characteristics, fluorescence quantum yield, and decay times. Remarkably, they retain similar fluorescent properties of fluorescein including the characteristic phosphate‐mediated excited‐state proton‐transfer (ESPT) reaction. 6‐Hydroxy‐9‐isopropyl‐3H‐xanthen‐3‐one ( 5 ) was investigated in living cells; it presented a good permeability and efficient accumulation inside the cytosol. For the first time, we reported that the requirement of an aryl group at C‐9 is no longer needed and new fluorescent sensors can be therefore easily developed.     

Formation of Various Bicolor Fluorescent Micropatterns on a Single Polymer Film Based on Concurrent Photobleaching and Photobase Generation

Various bicolored fluorescent micropatterns are fabricated on a single polymer film by concurrent photobleaching and a photobase generation process. A polymer, bearing anthracene and oxime–urethane groups, is dyed with rhodamine B isothiocyanate after irradiation with 310‐nm UV light. The photochemical reaction of the polymer is monitored by UV, IR absorption, and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Differently colored fluorescent micropatterns are obtained by selectively exciting each dye moiety. Various bicolored fluorescent micropatterns are observed through varying the excitation wavelength and observation wavelength ranges using a confocal microscope. This bicolored fluorescence patterning method will be useful to apply in photonic/electronic devices.

     

Fluorescent polymer particles by emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization

We describe the synthesis and characterization of latex particles labeled with a brightly fluorescent yellow dye (HY) based on the benzothioxanthene ring structure. Three dye derivatives were synthesized with different spacers connecting the HY nucleus to a methacrylate group. For one of the dyes (HY2CMA, r_A), we show that the reactivity ratios with styrene (r_A = 0.71, r_B = 0.25) and butyl methacrylate (r_A = 0.87, r_B = 0.14) should lead to random dye incorporation if the amount of dye in the feed is small. Seeded emulsion polymerization fails to lead to significant dye incorporation unless large amounts of nonionic surfactant are present. In contrast, miniemulsion polymerization worked well to yield latex particles of polystyrene, poly(butyl methacrylate), and poly(methyl methacrylate) with high monomer conversion and essentially quantitative dye incorporation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 766–778, 2003     

一种新型吡唑啉类染料荧光性质的研究

本文利用紫外吸收、荧光光谱、偏振荧光和时间分辨瞬态光技术,研究了1-对氨硫酰苯基-3-对氯苯基吡唑(SCPL)在不同溶剂     

Construction of Helical J‐Aggregates Self‐Assembled from a Thymidylic Acid Appended Anthracene Dye and DNA as a Template

Driven round the twist by DNA : One‐dimensional helical J‐aggregates are formed by the self‐assembly of thymidylic acid appended anthracene dye (shown in red and yellow) in the presence of complementary single‐stranded oligoadenylic acid (shown in green and blue) in an aqueous solution.

     

Rhodamine Spiroamides for Multicolor Single‐Molecule Switching Fluorescent Nanoscopy

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of new rhodamine spiroamides are described. These molecules have applications in optical nanoscopy based on random switching of the fluorescent single molecules. The new markers may be used in (co)localization studies of various objects and their (mutual) positions and shape can be determined with a precision of a few tens of nanometers. Multicolor staining, good photoactivation, a large number of emitted photons, and selective chemical binding with amino or thiol groups were achieved due to the presence of various functional groups on the rhodamine spiroamides. Rigidized sulfonated xanthene fragment fused with six‐membered rings, N,N′‐bis(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl) groups, and a combination of additional double bonds and sulfonic acid groups with simple aliphatic spiroamide residue provide multicolor properties and improve performance of the rhodamine spiroamides in photoactivation and bioconjugation reactions. Having both essential parts of the photoswitchable assembly—the switching and the fluorescent (reporter) groups—combined in one chemical entity make this approach attractive for further development. A series of rhodamine spiroamides is presented along with characterizations of their most relevant properties for application as fluorescent probes in single‐molecule switching and localization microscopy. Optical images with resolutions on the nanometer scale illustrate the potential of the labels in the colocalization of biological objects and the two‐photon activation technique with optical sectioning.     

Modified Isoindolediones as Bright Fluorescent Probes for Cell and Tissue Imaging

New L -shaped fluorophores possessing five conjugated rings have been synthesized through a four-step procedure involving diketopyrrolopyrrole synthesis and its double N-alkylation, followed by trimethylsilyl bromide-mediated rearrangement to thieno[2,3-f]isoindole-5,8-dione and an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction. In comparison with the parent isoindolediones and π-expanded diketopyrrolopyrroles, these new dyes show red-shifted absorption and emission (up to ≈630 nm). Their structural rigidity is responsible for both the observed small Stokes shifts and large fluorescence quantum yields. Tissue imaging studies revealed that these new dyes show advantageous features including minimal autofluorescence interference and pronounced solvent-sensitive emission. Interestingly, there is a fundamental difference between a dye possessing an amino group and its analog bearing an N-alkyl substituent. The former dye under two-photon excitation at 900 nm gives bright images whereas its N-alkylated counterpart does not. A new type of membrane localization has been discovered by an N-alkylated isoindoledione possessing a benzofuryl substituent. In spite of the fact that the fluorescence quantum yield of this dye in a range of solvents is rather low, it does stain cell membranes exclusively. This new mode of cellular staining opens the door towards further development of membrane staining dyes.     

Highly Fluorescent and Water‐Soluble Diketopyrrolopyrrole Dyes for Bioconjugation

The preparation of highly water‐soluble and strongly fluorescent diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) dyes using an unusual taurine‐like sulfonated linker has been achieved. Exchanging a phenyl for a thienyl substituent shifts the emission wavelength to near λ=600 nm. The free carboxylic acid group present in these new derivatives was readily activated and the dyes were subsequently covalently linked to a model protein (bovine serum albumin; BSA). The bioconjugates were characterized by electronic absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, thus enabling precise determination of the labeling density (ratio DPP/BSA about 3 to 8). Outstanding values of fluorescence quantum yield (30 % to 59 %) for these bioconjugates are obtained. The photostability of these DPP dyes is considerably greater than that of fluorescein under the same irradiation conditions. Remarkably low detection limits between 80 and 300 molecules/μm² were found for the BSA bioconjugates by fluorescence imaging with a epifluorescence microscope.