Photophysics of a cyanine dye within cyclodextrin cavity

The modulated photophysical and dynamical behavior of a potent anti-tumor photosensitizer 3,3^/-diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI) following host-guest inclusion complex formation with α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrins (CDs) has been studied using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The cavity size of the CDs (α-CD <β-CD <γ-CD) is argued to play an instrumental role underlying the formation of the host-guest inclusion complex. While negligible interaction with α-CD is found to be succeeded by prominent quenching of monomeric fluorescence of the dye within β-CD and γ-CD with the degree of quenching being greater within γ-CD. The most appealing fact attained from the experimental results is the anticipation of dimer formation of DODCI within the large cavity of γ-CD which can entrap more than one molecule of DODCI. The steady-state results are found to be adequately corroborated by time-resolved fluorescence decay studies. Such encapsulation of the cyanine dye within the carrier cargo can be designed for targeted delivery inside biological systems.     

Photophysical and (photo)electrochemical properties of a coumarin dye

A new coumarin dye, cyano-{5,5-dimethyl-3-[2-(1,1,6,6-tetramethyl-10-oxo-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H,4H,10H-11-oxa-3a-aza-benzo[de]anthracen-9-yl)vinyl]cyclohex-2-enylidene}-acetic acid (NKX-2753), was prepared and characterized with respect to photophysical and electrochemical properties. It was employed as a dye sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells and showed efficient photon-to-electron conversion properties. The photocurrent action spectrum exhibited a broad feature with a maximum incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 84% at 540 nm, which is comparable to that for the famous red dye RuL2(NCS)2 (known as N3), where L stands for 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid. The sandwich-type solar cell with NKX-2753, under illumination of full sun (AM1.5, 100 mW cm(-2)), produced 16.1 mA cm(-2) of short-circuit photocurrent, 0.60 V of open-circuit photovoltage, and 0.69 of fill factor, corresponding to 6.7% of overall energy conversion efficiency using 0.1 M LiI, 0.05 M I2, 0.1 M guanidinium thiocyanate, and 0.6 M 1,2-dimethyl-3-n-propyl-imidazolium iodide in dry acetonitrile as redox electrolyte. In comparison with its analogue NKX-2586 (Langmuir 2004, 20, 4205), NKX-2753 with an extra side ring on the alkene chain produced much higher IPCE values at the same conditions. The side ring acted as a spacer to efficiently prevent dye aggregation when adsorbed on the TiO2 surface, resulting in significant improvements of short-circuit photocurrent, open-circuit photovoltage, and fill factor compared with NKX-2586 that aggregated on the TiO2 surface.     

Micellization and mixed micellization of cationic gemini (dimeric) surfactants and cationic conventional (monomeric) surfactants: Conductometric,dye solubilization,and surface tension studies

In the present study, we have investigated the self-association, mixed micellization, and thermodynamic studies of a cationic gemini (dimeric) surfactant, hexanediyl-1,6-bis(dimethylcetylammonium bromide (16-6-16)) and a cationic conventional (monomeric) surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of pure (16-6-16 and CTAB) and mixed (16-6-16+CTAB) surfactants was measured by electrical conductivity, dye solubilization, and surface tension measurements. The surface properties (viz., C₂₀ (the surfactant concentration required to reduce the surface tension by 20 mN/m), Π_CMC (the surface pressure at the CMC), Γ_max (maximum surface excess concentration at the air/water interface), A_min (the minimum area per surfactant molecule at the air/water interface), etc.) of micellar (16-6-16 or CTAB) and mixed micellar (16-6-16+CTAB) surfactant systems were evaluated. The thermodynamic parameters of the micellar (16-6-16 and CTAB) and mixed micellar (16-6-16+CTAB) surfactant systems were also evaluated.     

Photochemistry of a cyanine dye in reversed micelles

The effect of microenvironment on the existing state and spectral properties of a cyanine dye in different systems were investigated. Due to the space limitation and the polarity evolution of the water cell of reversed micelles, the optical behavior of the dye in reversed micelles was very different from in water and alcohol. The effect of surfactants with different charge on the interaction of a cyanine dye with AgCl nanoparticles in reversed micelles were also researched. The adsorption state of the dye on AgCl nanoparticles in reversed micelles was discussed.     

Derivatization of a rigid meso-substituted heptamethine cyanine dye

1. Download : Download high-res image (106KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Effect of (chloride salt) electrolytes on the mixed micellization of (equimolar) a cationic gemini (dimeric) surfactant and a cationic conventional (monomeric) surfactant

Herein we report the effect of (chloride salt) electrolytes on the mixed micellization of (equimolar) a cationic gemini (dimeric) surfactant, hexanediyl-1,6-bis(dimethylcetylammonium bromide) (16-6-16), and a cationic conventional (monomeric) surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solutions. In absence and presence of (chloride salt) MCl (where M?Li, Na, and K) electrolytes, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of mixed (16-6-16 + CTAB) surfactants was measured by surface tension measurements. With increasing the concentration of electrolyte, the CMCs were increasing. The surface properties and the thermodynamic parameters of the mixed micellar systems were also evaluated. From these evaluated thermodynamic parameters, it was found that in presence of electrolyte the stability of the mixed micellar system is more.     

Effect of polyelectrolytes on aggregation of a cyanine dye

The effect of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) on the molecular state of a cationic cyanine dye (3,3′-diethyl-2,2′-thiacarbocyanine iodide) was studied. Gels based on the above polymers were shown to efficiently absorb an oppositely charged dye. The absorption of dye ions by a gel induced their aggregation. It was shown that, in the acrylic acid-based gels, H-aggregates, dimers, and single ions of the dye coexist. In gels containing methacrylic acid units, dye ions mainly formed H-aggregates. A comparison of aggregation of dye ions in the gels with that in aqueous solutions of corresponding polyelectrolytes was performed. When dye ions were immobilized in a gel network, the proportion of the ions forming the H-aggregates was considerably larger than that in solutions. The effect of the gel network charge density on the aggregation of dye ions was investigated. It was shown that an increase in the fraction of charged units in network chains facilitates aggregation.     

Stabilisation of a heptamethine cyanine dye by rotaxane encapsulation

The crystal structure of a cyanine dye rotaxane shows that the cyclodextrin is tightly threaded round the polymethine bridge of the dye; encapsulation dramatically increases the kinetic chemical stability of the radicals formed on oxidation and reduction of the dye, making it possible to observe the rotaxane radical dication by ESR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy.     

Photophysical properties of a new DyLight 594 dye

We describe spectral properties of novel fluorescence probe DyLight? 594. Absorption and fluorescence spectra of this dye are in the region of Alexa 594 fluor spectra. The quantum yield of DyLight 594 in conjugated form to IgG is higher than corresponding quantum yield of Alexa 594 by about 50%. The new DyLight dye also shows slightly longer lifetime and photostability. These favorable properties and high anisotropy value, as well as a high cross-section for two-photon excitation, make this fluorophore attractive as a fluorescence probe in biochemical/biological studies involving fluorescence methods.     

Contrasting behavior of classical salts versus ionic liquids toward aqueous phase J-aggregate dissociation of a cyanine dye

The effect of addition of ionic liquids (ILs) on the aggregation behavior of a cyanine dye, 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1'-diethyl-3,3'-di(4-sulfobutyl)-benzimidazolocarbocyanine (TDBC), was investigated. In basic aqueous buffer solutions (pH ≥ 10), TDBC preferably exists in its J-aggregated form. Addition of hydrophilic ILs > 5 wt % is observed to disrupt the TDBC J-aggregates, converting them to monomer form most likely because of the interaction between bulky IL cation and the J-aggregates in a time-dependent fashion. This is evidenced by the observed increase in monomer band absorbance at the expense of the absorbance band due to J-aggregates over time. Inorganic salts at similar molar concentrations do not cause this phenomenon but instead induce TDBC precipitation. At low concentrations (<5 wt %), the added IL acts similarly to the inorganic salts, reducing the overall absorbance of TDBC in the solution most likely due to cation exchange causing TDBC precipitation. Addition of a molecular solvent, ethanol, at 15 wt % results in an initial increase in monomer absorbance, albeit to a much lesser extent than for the corresponding molar fraction of IL, which then decreases over time with recovery of J-aggregate absorbance--quite opposite the time-dependent behavior seen for TDBC in PB at pH 12.0 with >5 wt % IL. The unique and dual behavior of ILs as an additive toward affecting cyanine dye aggregation is demonstrated.     

Contrasting behavior of zwitterionic and cationic polymers bound to anionic liposomes

Zwitterionic polymers were prepared by quaternizing polyvinylpyridine (DP = 1100) with bromoacids (Br(CH2)nCOOH, where n = 1, 2, 3, and 5). The resulting polymers were then added to unilamellar liposomes composed of egg lecithin or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine admixed with 20 mol % of cardiolipin (a phospholipid with two negative charges). These systems were compared (along with polyethylvinylpyridinium chloride, a polycation) by light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, fluorescence, and high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry. The external zwitterionic polymers induce no flip-flop of cardiolipin from the inner leaflet to the outer leaflet as does the polycation. Aside from this similarity, the four zwitterionic polymers all behave differently from each other toward the anionic liposomes: (a) For n = 1, there is no detectable interaction between the polymer and the liposomes. (b) For n = 2, electrostatic attraction induces polymer-liposome association (reversed by the addition of NaCl) that maintains the original negative charge on the liposome. Aggregation of the liposomes accompanies polymer adsorption. (c) For n = 3, electrostatic binding also occurs along with aggregation. However, the binding is so strong that NaCl is unable to induce polymer/liposome dissociation. (d) For n = 5, there is polymer binding and NaCl-promoted dissociation but no substantial aggregation. These differences among the closely related polymers are discussed and analyzed in molecular terms.     

Meso-substituted cationic porphyrins of biological interest. Photophysical and physicochemical properties in solution and bound to liposomes

A series of cationic porphyrins with 1-4 positive charges are studied: mono(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)triphenylporphine chloride [Mono], cis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)diphenylporphine chloride [Cis], tri(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)monophenylporphine chloride [Tri] and tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine chloride [Tetra]. Their photophysical properties are measured in small unilamellar vesicles and compared with those in homogeneous solution. Liposomes of L-alpha-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine (100 nm diameter) and L-alpha-dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (50 nm diameter) in phosphate-buffered saline (pH = 7.4) or D2O 0.15 M NaCl were used. The effect of the medium microheterogeinity is discussed. The triplet quantum yields in liposomes for all the porphyrins are about 0.7, similar to the value obtained for Tetra in aqueous media. The singlet molecular oxygen quantum yields for the hydrophilic compounds Tri and Tetra are greater than those of the hydrophobic ones, Mono and Cis. Also, association constants (KL) of the dyes to liposomes and their localization within the membranes are determined from fluorescence and fluorescence polarization measurements, respectively. KL values are in the range of 10(4)-10(5) M-1 for all the compounds, indicating that hydrophobic and coulombic interactions between porphyrins and liposomes are responsible for the dye association. Fluorescence polarization experiments indicate that Mono and Cis can penetrate into the lipidic phase, and that Tri and Tetra are located near the polar heads of the lipidic molecules.     

Improved photostability and fluorescence properties through polyfluorination of a cyanine dye

[structure: see text] A polyfluorinated cyanine dye has been synthesized and characterized. Compared with the nonfluorinated analogue, the dye exhibits significantly reduced aggregation in aqueous media, enhanced fluorescence quantum yield, greater resistance to photobleaching upon direct irradiation, and reduced reactivity toward singlet oxygen. All of these properties are favorable for use of cyanine dyes as fluorescent labels and point toward fluorination as a general strategy for improving performance in imaging applications.     

Conjugating a cyanine dye to a polymer surface. In search of a monomeric dye in apolar media

Solution and solid-phase syntheses of a cyanine dye conjugated to polystyrene beads (desired for potentially interesting electronic properties) are described.     

Photophysical properties of neutral and cationic tetrapyridinoporphyrazines

We describe the synthesis and photophysical properties of a series of neutral and cationic 3,4-tetrapyridinoporphyrazines, potential lead photosensitizers for photodynamic inactivation of bacteria. Tetracationic TPyPzs exist essentially as monomers in aqueous systems, but the presence of trialkylated compounds due to incomplete quaternization of the outer nitrogen atoms induces severe aggregation. The absorption, fluorescence, triplet, and singlet oxygen quantum yields for both the neutral and cationic compounds are comparable to those of the related phthalocyanines.     

Photophysical and photochemical effects of dye binding

Abstract— A discussion is given of the photophysical and photochemical consequences of the binding of dyes and of pigments of biological importance to polymeric substrates. The modification of the photochemical properties induced by dye binding can in large part be ascribed to the known changes in photophysical properties of dyes engendered by such interactions. Principally, these involve enhanced formation of metastable species of dye molecules and decreased opportunity for self-quenching. In photochemical terms, dye binding thus enhances susceptibility to photoreduction, causes an increase in the quantum yield of photoreduction with increasing concentration of bound dye, and induces enhanced ability to act as a sensi-tizer in photoreduction. Paradoxically, dye binding decreases the ability of the bound dye to act as a sensitizer in photoxidation.     

Spectroscopic effects of organized media on a cyanine dye/pyrene derivative

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of a cyanine dye/pyrene derivative are studied in the presence of-cyclodextrin, Brij 35, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Benesi-Hildebrand type equations are used to estimate the apparent association constant of the dye/cyclodextrin complex. In addition, an estimate of the dimerization constant for the dye is examined.     

Photophysical behavior of terpyridine-lanthanide ion complexes incorporated in a poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogel

Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogel forms complexes with terpyridine and various trivalent ions, like Eu(3+), Tb(3+), Gd(3+), and In(3+). The hydrogel can be obtained in three different phases: swollen with water, lyophilized (i.e., dried by freeze-drying), where it loses the solvent but preserves the swollen configuration, and dried in the air where it shrinks. The three hydrogel phases affect the type of complex formed between terpyridine and the metal ion. Thus, in the swollen and lyophilized phases, metal-centered emission can be obtained by energy transfer from the excited ligand. In the shrunk phase, an intense green fluorescence is emitted, which is ligand-centered and is independent of the complexed ion. In the absence of any ion, the ligand emits blue luminescence, independently of the hydrogel phase. In the presence of europium(III) ions, blue, green, or red emission can be thus produced at appropriate compositions and hydrogel phases. Analysis of the photophysical behavior of the polymer-ligand-metal ion complex is related with the photophysical behavior of the ligand and its complexes in various pure solvents.     

Fluorescence enhancement method for measuring anionic surfactants with a hydrophobic cyanine dye

A novel fluorimetric method based on use of a hydrophobic cationic cyanine dye has been developed for determination of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS). The method is based on the enhancement effect of DBS on the fluorescence of the hydrophobic cyanine dye 2-[-4-chloro-7-(1-ethyl-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-ylidene)-3,5-(propane-1,3-diyl)-1,3,5-heptatrien-1-yl]-1-ethyl-3,3-dimethyl-3H-indolium iodide. Under the optimum conditions the extent of fluorescence enhancement is proportional to the concentration of DBS in the range 0.05–5.0 mg L^–1; the detection limit is 0.014mg L^–1. The relative standard deviation for 0.35 mg L^–1 DBS was 1.1% (n=10). The proposed method, which avoided use of toxic solvents and tedious solvent-extraction, and was applied to the determination of DBS in natural water with recoveries between 99.9 and 107%. Preliminary research shows that the fluorescence enhancement is due to the formation of a dye aggregate facilitated by DBS.     

Direct spectrometric determination of proteins in body fluids using a near-infrared cyanine dye

A new near-infrared (NIR) dye, 1,1-disulfobutyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine (DTCY) has been developed for the quantitation of proteins in solution. The method is based on the binding of DTCY to proteins under acidic conditions. The binding of DTCY to proteins causes a new band at 814 nm. The maximum binding number of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with DTCY was measured as 100. The linear range is 0.3–40 g mL^–1 for BSA and human serum albumin (HSA), respectively. Except for Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, all of the examined coexisting substances show no interference in the assay. The method has been applied to the quantitation of proteins in serum and urine with recoveries between 96 and 105%.