A new approach for the detection of carbon-centered radicals in enzymatic processes using prefluorescent probes

In this communication we propose a novel application for prefluorescent probes in the detection of free carbon-centered radicals in enzymatic processes. Prefluorescent probes combine a fluorescent moiety tethered to a paramagnetic nitroxide that acts as a fluorescence quencher. Trapping of a radical by the nitroxide group restores the fluorescence properties. The increase in fluorescence intensity with time reflects the formation and quenching of carbon-centered radicals and can be used for the quantitative evaluation of yields and kinetics. As a test system we used horseradish peroxidase, an oxidoreductase that is widely accepted to operate by a radical-mediated mechanism. We used the prefluorescent probe (quinoline-TEMPO), where a quinoline moiety has been tethered to 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl.     

Development of a quinoxaline-based fluorescent probe for quantitative estimation of protein binding site polarity

The compound 2-[(1E)-2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)ethenyl]-quinoxaline (PQX) is a promising fluorescent chromophore for the estimation of protein binding site polarity, due to its full-color solvatochromic fluorescence. A linear relationship was obtained between the peak emission wavenumber and E(T)(N) (normalized solvent polarity). The BSA binding site polarity was estimated from the solvatochromic plot.     

Solvatochromism of 3-[2-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]alanine methyl ester. A new fluorescence probe

The photophysical properties of 3-[2-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]alanine methyl ester (1b) and its Boc derivative (1a) were studied in a series of solvents. Its UV-Vis absorption spectra are less sensitive to the solvent polarity than the corresponding fluorescence spectra which show pronounced solvatochromic effect leading to large Stokes shifts. Using an efficient solvatochromic method, based on the molecular-microscopic empirical solvent polarity parameter E(T)(N), a large change of the dipole moment on excitation has been found. From an analysis of the solvatochromic behaviour of the UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectra in terms of bulk solvent polarity functions, f(epsilon(r),n) and g(n), a large excited-state dipole moment (mu(e) = 11D), almost perpendicular to the smaller ground-state dipole moment, was observed. This demonstrates the formation of an intramolecular charge-transfer excited state. Large changes of the fluorescence quantum yields as well as the fluorescence lifetimes with an increase of a solvent polarity cause that the new non-proteinogenic amino acid, 3-[2-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)benzoxazol-5-yl]-alanine methyl ester, is a new useful fluorescence probe for biophysical studies of peptides and proteins.     

Synthesis of some spin-labeled bithiazoles,Useful probes for studying bleomycin-DNA binding

The antibiotic antitumor drug Bleomycin is known to bind to DNA by intercalation of its bithiazole chromophore into the DNA base-pairs. Four spin-labeled bithiazoles, bearing a 4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinooxy) free radical, have been synthesized. These derivatives where the nitroxide group is linked to the end of spacers of various lengths, can be used as probes for the study, by esr spectroscopy, of the intercalation of the heterocyclic moiety of Bleomycin.     

pH and thermo responsive aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s from oxa-Michael addition polymerization

In this research, we developed a novel and facile strategy to prepare aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s with pH and thermo responsiveness via phosphazene base (t-BuP₂) catalyzed oxa-Michael addition polymerization of triethanolamine with ethylene glycol diacrylate at room temperature. UV–vis and fluorescence analyses results showed that the tertiary amine at branching point for hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s is very important to retain strong blue fluorescence of tertiary amine chromophore. Moreover, the hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s exhibit an aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) fluorescence, solvent induced red-shifted emission, molecular weight, and temperature dependent emission characters. More interestingly, the hyperbranched poly(amino ether ester)s show extreme acid induced quenching fluorescence phenomenon, and also display good water solubility, specific recognition of Fe³⁺ ion, low cytotoxicity, and bright cell imaging, which could serve as a microenvironment-responding fluorescent probe for application in chemical sensing, cell imaging, drug delivery, or disease diagnostics. This research provides a versatile method for the preparation of stimuli-responsive aliphatic tertiary amine chromophore polymers, and supplies ideas for researchers to explore other unconventional fluorescent polymers for application.     

Physical Properties of 8‐Substituted 5,7‐Dichloro‐2‐Styrylquinolines as Potential Light Emitting Materials

Derivatives of 5,7‐dichloro‐2‐styrylquinoline ( 1 ), modified at position 8 of quinoline moiety with a methyl ether ( 4 , DCSQM) or acetate ( 5 , DCSQA), were synthesized and investigated. Both compounds exhibited high thermal stability (Td > 320 °C). The UV‐vis absorption of DCSQM and DCSQA varied only slightly in different solvents, whereas the emission spectra showed pronounced red shifts with increasing solvent polarity, suggesting the intramolecular charge transfer character of the emission state. Compounds 4 and 5 can emit lights from blue to green color in different solvents. The solvent polarity dependent electronic transitions are attributed to efficient intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes, in which the HOMOs and LUMOs are localized on the styrene‐based ring and the quinoline‐based moiety, respectively. The quinoline‐based LUMO provides compelling evidence that the first reduction site occurs on the electron‐deficient quinoline moiety.     

Free radical sensor based on CdSe quantum dots with added 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine oxide functionality

The association and resulting fluorescence quenching of CdSe quantum dots by 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine oxide (4-amino-TEMPO), a persistent nitroxide, have been examined using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and fluorescence spectroscopy. EPR data suggest binding constants around (8 +/- 4) x 10(6) M(-1) for green (2.4-2.5 nm) nanoparticles, and the application of Job's method indicates that the preferred mode of binding involves one or two quencher molecules per quantum dot, although more quenchers could bind at high concentrations of 4-amino-TEMPO. Fluorescence quenching by 4-amino-TEMPO is at least 3 orders of magnitude more efficient than by TEMPO itself, reflecting the strong binding confirmed by the EPR data. Stern-Volmer plots are nonlinear and in light of the EPR data probably reflect ready accessibility of the CdSe surface to one or two 4-amino-TEMPO molecules, while additional quenchers can only bind if they displace trioctylphosphine oxide ligands. Quantum dot-4-amino-TEMPO complexes can be used as free radical sensors, since the fluorescence (quenched by the nitroxide) is readily restored when radicals are trapped to form alkoxyamines.     

以共价键相连的卟啉-酞菁化合物分子内能量传递及光诱导电子转移

合成了叶啉与酞菁以共价键连接起来的双发色团分子。测定了它们的吸收光谱,荧光光谱,荧光寿命等。计算了分子内能量传递过程的效率(φ_EnT)及速率常数(κ_EnT)。结果表明:在稀溶液中,卟啉与酞菁等克分子混合时,观察不到分子间能量传递过程现象的发生;而双发色团分子的分子内能量传递过程则明显发生了,其效率(φ_EnT=13～70%)与速率常数(κ_EnT=1.2×10⁷～2.0×10⁸s^-1)取决于分子的结构类型。电子转移与能量传递过程与介质性质有关。在极性溶剂中有利于电子转移过程的进行,而不利于能量传递过程;在非极性溶剂中,则有利于能量传递过程的进行,而不利于电子转移。 选择性激发酞菁发色团,观测到了只有电子转移发生的过程,其电子转移效率达到38%。     

Energy transfer in polymers and nitroxide decay during photolysis

When polymeric materials doped with nitroxides of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine type are exposed to light, the nitroxide concentration decreases. The two mechanisms for the decrease of the nitroxide are the reaction of nitroxide with free radicals produced during photolysis of the polymer to form amino ethers and the abstraction of hydrogen atoms by excited-state nitroxides to form hydroxyl amines. Excited-state nitroxides can be formed in two ways: by direct absorption and by energy transfer. In this paper, the effect of energy transfer on the rate of decay of the nitroxide signal is studied, and measurements of nitroxide decay are used to probe energy transfer in crosslinked polymeric coatings. A simple kinetic scheme is used to interpret nitroxide decay during photolysis of both solutions and polymers containing benzophenone. These results are used to show that the slope of the line relating nitroxide decay rate to nitroxide concentration is essentially determined by energy transfer from a coating-based chromophore to nitroxide. The nitroxide decay assay is also used to study the effectiveness of a benzotriazole ultraviolet light absorber as a quencher.     

Effects of Hydrogen-bonding Interaction and Polarity on Emission Spectrum of Naphthalene-Triethylamine in Mixed Solvent

The effects of the protic and aprotic polar solvents on the emission spectrum of the naphthalene-triethyl-amine system in THF were studied under conditions of steady-state illumination. The fluorescence spectrum of the naphthalene-triethylamine system consists of two emission bands, the fluorescence band of naphthalene (band A, 329 nm) and the emission band of the exciplex(band B, 468 nm). The intensities of both the emission bands decrease with increasing the solvent polarity. The intensity of band B also decreases due to the hy-drogen-bonding interaction between triethylamine and protic solvent, while that of band A increases. It is thus suggested that the quenching of naphthalene fluorescence by triethylamine in THF occurs through the charge transfer and electron transfer reactions. The spectral changes upon the increase of solvent polarity can be explained by the dependences of the equilibrium constant between exciplex and ion-pair and the rate constant for the electron transfer reaction from triethyl.amine to the excited naphthalene on the rel.ative permittivity of solvent. It is shown that the formation of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between triethylamine and protic solvent suppresses the quenching reaction by the decrease in free amine. Acetonitrile has only a polar effect and trichloroacetic acid only a hydrogen-bonding(or protonation) effect, while alcohols have both the effects. The effects of alcohols could be separated into the effects of solvent polarity and intermolecular hy-drogen-bonding interaction quantitatively.     

Site-directed electrostatic measurements with a thiol-specific ph-sensitive nitroxide: differentiating local pK and polarity effects by high-field EPR

This communication describes the use of a methanethiosulfonate derivative of an imidazolidine nitroxide, methanethiosulfonic acid S-(1-oxyl-2,2,3,5,5-pentamethyl-imidazolidin-4-ylmethyl) ester, IMTSL, for site-directed pKa determination of peptides by electron paramagnetic resonance. This spin label is covalently attached to the thiol group of unique cysteines incorporated into peptide structures. The tertiary amine nitrogen N3 of the label readily participates in proton exchange reactions, which are monitored through changes in EPR spectra of nitroxide moiety. Using EPR at 95 GHz (W-band) isotropic magnetic parameters of this nitroxide, both Aiso and giso, were calibrated in solvents of different polarity and pH. Two different linear correlations between Aiso and giso for acidic and basic forms of IMTSL were observed, making it possible to differentiate effects of local polarity from N3 protonation on nitroxide EPR spectra. Titration of a synthetic P11 peptide fragment of the laminin B1 chain illustrates the utility of this method.     

Design and synthesis of a library of BODIPY-based environmental polarity sensors utilizing photoinduced electron-transfer-controlled fluorescence ON/OFF switching

We systematically examined the mechanism of the solvent polarity dependence of the fluorescence ON/OFF threshold of the BODIPY (boron dipyrromethene) fluorophore and the role of photoinduced electron transfer (PeT). In a series of BODIPY derivatives with variously substituted benzene moieties at the 8-position, the oxidation potential of the benzene moiety became more positive and the reduction potential of the BODIPY fluorophore became more negative as the solvent polarity was decreased; consequently, the free energy change of PeT from the benzene moiety becomes larger in a more nonpolar environment. Utilizing this finding, we designed and synthesized a library of probes in which the threshold of fluorescence ON/OFF switching corresponds to different levels of solvent polarity. These environment-sensitive probes were used to examine bovine serum albumin (BSA) and living cells. The polarity at the surface of albumin was concluded to be similar to that of acetone, while the polarity of the internal membranes of HeLa cells was similar to that of dichloromethane.     

Solvent Effects on Spectral Property and Dipole Moment of the Lowest Excited State of Coumarin 343 Dye

Steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra, and time-resolved fluorescence spectra of coumarin 343 (C343) were measured in different solvents. The effect of the solvent on the spectral properties and dipole moment of the lowest excited state of C343 were investigated. It was found that the absorption and fluorescence spectra red-shifted slightly and strongly with increasing solvent polarity, respectively, because the charge distribution of the excited state leaded to the increasing difference between the absorption and fluorescence spectra with increasing solvent polarity. The dipole moment of the lowest excited state of C343was determined from solvatochromic measurements and the quantum chemical calculation, and the results obtained from these two methods were fully consistent. Investigations of the time-resolved fluorescence of C343 in different solvents indicated that the fluorescence lifetimes increased nearly linearly with increasing solvent polarity from 3.09 ns in toluene to 4.45 ns in water. This can be ascribed to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between C343 and hydrogen donating solvents.     

氮氧自由基的研究(Ⅱ)——哌啶类氮氧自由基的溶剂效应及其分子结构的研究

对4-氧-2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧自由基在26种不同溶剂中的顺磁共振谱进行了测定,发现超精细分裂常数A_N随溶剂极性的增加而上升,而g值却呈现微小的下降趋势。A_N与ReichardtE_T、KosowerZ值之间有线性关系,而与ε、μ却不呈现线性关系。由于E_T、Z为模型反应的溶剂微观极性效应参数,而ε、μ为非模型反应的溶剂宏观极性效应参数,所以A_N可以作为一种新的非模型反应的溶剂微观极性效应参数。     

Synthesis and spectral properties of 4-amino- and 4-acetylamino-N-arylnaphthalimides containing electron-donating groups in the N-aryl substituent

A method for the synthesis of N-aryl-substituted 4-amino- and 4-acetylaminonaphthalimide derivatives with mono- and dialkoxy groups or a 15-crown-5 moiety in the N-aryl substituent is described. The introduction of electron-donating alkoxy groups into the benzene ring of the N-aryl fragment results in fluorescence quenching of the naphthalimide chromophore, which is most pronounced in the spectra of N-acetyl derivatives. The photophysical properties of the synthesized 4-amino- and 4-acetylaminonaphthalimides depend on the solvent polarity and its specific solvating ability due to H-bonding. The crown-containing compounds are promising fluorescent chemosensors for metal cations.     

ENERGY TRANSFER FROM CAROTENOID POLYENES TO PORPHYRINS: A LIGHT-HARVESTING ANTENNA

Carotenoid to porphyrin singlet-singlet energy transfer has been observed in a new covalently linked carotenoid-porphyrin ester. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies reveal that the relatively high energy transfer efficiency (? 25%) is a result of a stacked conformation in which the 26 π electron carotenoid chromophore resides ?4–5 Å above the mean porphyrin plane. Substantial quenching of porphyrin fluorescence was also observed. Implications for the mechanism of energy transfer and possible applications to synthetic solar energy conversions systems are discussed.     

Synthesis and property of solvatochromic fluorophore based on D-π-A molecular system: 2-{[3-Cyano-4-(N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-5,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-ylidene}malononitrile dye

2-{[3-Cyano-4-(N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)styryl]-5,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-ylidene}malononitrile styryl dye was prepared by the condensation of 4-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-amino]-benzaldehyde (donor moiety) with 2-cyanomethylene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (acceptor moiety). The corresponding design, synthesis and solvatochromic characteristics of the intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) dye chromophore were discussed and determined. Optical properties such as absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were monitored in several solvent media with different polarity. In this determination, the prepared dye chromophore showed positive solvatochromism effect and the resulting solvatochromic characteristics were studied with semiempirical calculations. The energy potentials of this dye chromophore such as HOMO and LUMO values were calculated by computational simulation approaches using Material Studio 4.3. Furthermore, the functions as a molecular switching sensor with pH stimulation of alkali–acid addition were determined in DMSO, which was operated by deprotonation/protonation effects based on intramolecular charge-transfer system.     

Photophysical properties of tyrosine and its simple derivatives in organic solvents studied by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and global analysis

Photophysical properties of tyrosine and its derivatives with free and blocked functional groups were studied by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and global analysis in organic solvents, such as methanol, 2-propanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The mono-exponential fluorescence intensity decays were observed for all tyrosine derivatives in THF and DMSO solutions, whereas in alcohols some derivatives have bi-exponential decays. The rotamer population calculated from 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in DMSO does not correspond to the pre-exponential factors obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover in the case of DMSO, the strong interaction of this solvent with the hydroxyl group of the fluorophore's phenol ring causes substantial changes in the fluorescence and nonradiative rate constants of tyrosine derivatives compared with those of tyrosine with a blocked hydroxyl group, Tyr(Me). The steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements in pure organic solvents and water-organic solvent mixtures indicate that the fluorescence quenching of the phenol chromophore of tyrosine by an acetyl or amide group or both depends on the polarity of the solvent used as well as the ability of the solvent to form hydrogen bonds with functional groups of tyrosine.     

水杨酸-2′-乙基己基酯在胶束中的增溶位点

考察了阳离子、非离子和阴离子表面活性剂存在下水杨酸-2′-乙基己基酯(EHS)的吸收光谱和激发态分子内质子转移(ESIPT)荧光光谱.结果表明,EHS可增溶在胶束中,2′-乙基己基碳链朝向胶束内核,而水杨酸基朝向胶束-水界面;胶柬环境有利于EHS分子对紫外光的吸收和分子内氢键的形成,从而使ESIPT荧光显著增强,激发态分子以发射可见光和非辐射去活化方式衰减;并根据EHS和表面活性剂分子的结构和大小,解释了EHS分子在胶束中的结合位点,荧光猝灭和酯水解的光谱测量进一步为此结合位点提供了佐证.     

Nitroxide‐mediated Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene with Fluorescent Initiator

A fluorescence method was used for determination of marked chain ends in polystyrene samples prepared by 4‐substituted TEMPO type nitroxide‐mediated living free radical polymerization of styrene. 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐(1‐phenylethoxy)‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐4‐pyren‐1‐ylbutanoate (PYNOR) was prepared and used as an unimolecular initiator bearing pyrene as a fluorescence mark on mediating nitroxide fragment. The bulk polymerization of styrene at 120°C, in the presence of new unimolecular initiator, was a typical nitroxide mediated living radical polymerization. For comparison, two different molar ratios of initiator and monomer (1∶400 and 1∶1000 initiator ‐ monomer [I:M]) were used for polymerization. When I:M=1∶400, the obtained polydispersity was 1.12 and maximum molecular weight 27,000 g/mol was obtained at 62% conversion. For ratio 1∶1000, slightly higher polydispersity was obtained ?1.26 and the molecular weight was 53,000 g/mol at 70% conversion. The content of the polystyrene chains bearing mediating nitroxide fragment was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. The intensity of pyrene fluorescence decreased as the molar mass, and the conversion increased as well. The extent of the incorporation of chromophore at propagating chain end or “livingness” of polymerization decreased despite the fact that the polydispersity did not change. The extent of side reaction leading to broadening of polydispersity is suppressed due to the high viscosity of the system at higher conversion. A low extent of “livingness” will have a very negative effect on possible preparation of block copolymers.