Time-resolved measurements of the photolysis and recombination of adenosylcobalamin bound to glutamate mutase

Femtosecond to nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the photolysis of 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12, AdoCbl) bound to glutamate mutase. The photochemistry of AdoCbl is found to be inherently dependent upon the environment of the cofactor. Excitation of AdoCbl bound to glutamate mutase results in formation of a metal-to-ligand charge transfer intermediate state which decays to form cob(II)alamin with a time constant of 105 ps. This observation is in contrast to earlier measurements in water where the photohomolysis proceeds through an intermediate state in which the axial dimethylbenzimidazole ligand appears to have dissociated, and measurements in ethylene glycol where prompt bond homolysis is observed (Yoder, L. M.; Cole, A. G.; Walker, L. A., II; Sension, R. J. J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 12180-12188). The quantum yield for formation of stable radical pairs in the enzyme is found to be phi = 0.05 +/- 0.03, and the resulting intrinsic rate constants for geminate recombination and "cage escape" are 1.0 +/- 0.1 and 0.05 +/- 0.03 ns(-1), respectively. The rate constant for geminate recombination is 30% less than that observed for AdoCbl in water or ethylene glycol. This reduction is insufficient to account for the 10(12)-fold increase in the homolysis rate observed when substrate is bound to the protein. Finally, the protein provides a cage to prevent diffusive loss of the adenosyl radical; however, the ultimate yield for long-lived radicals is determined by the evolution from a singlet to a triplet radical pair as proposed for AdoCbl in ethylene glycol.     

A Highly Selective Two‐Photon Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Cadmium(II) Based on Intramolecular Electron Transfer and its Imaging in Living Cells

A new quinoline‐based probe was designed that shows one‐photon ratiometric and two‐photon off–on changes upon detecting Cd²⁺. It exhibits fluorescence emission at 407 nm originating from quinoline groups in Tris‐HCl (25 mM , pH 7.40), H₂O/EtOH (8:2, v/v). Coordination with Cd²⁺ causes quenching of the emission at 407 nm and simultaneously yields a remarkable redshift of the emission maximum to 500 nm with an isoemissive point at 439 nm owing to an intramolecular charge‐transfer mechanism. Thus, dual‐emission ratiometric measurement with a large redshift (Δλ=93 nm) and significant changes in the ratio (F₅₀₀/F₄₃₉) of the emission intensity (R/R₀ up to 27) is established. Moreover, the sensor H₂L displays excellent selectivity response, high sensitive fluorescence enhancement, and strong binding ability to Cd²⁺. Coordination properties of H₂L towards Cd²⁺ were fully investigated by absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy, which indicated the formation of a 2:1 H₂L/Cd²⁺ complex. All complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystallography, and TD‐DFT calculations were performed to understand the origin of optical selectivity shown by H₂L. Two‐photon fluorescence microscopy experiments have demonstrated that H₂L could be used in live cells for the detection of Cd²⁺.     

Coumarins in Phormium (New Zealand flax) fibers: their role in fluorescence and photodegradation

The genus Phormium (New Zealand flax) has fiber possessing a high content of lignin and, like other lignocellulosic materials, it is subject to photodegradation. Photoproducts in the fiber absorbing over a broad spectral region from ～370 to 600 nm are observed as a result of exposure to near‐UV radiation from 350 to 400 nm. Irradiation was shown to produce hydrogen peroxide and this can account, at least in part, for the photo‐oxidation manifested in changes in the reflectance spectra of the fibers. Unirradiated solid fibers and their aqueous extracts exhibit fluorescence with excitation maxima at 350–360 nm and emission maxima at 440 nm. The fluorescence spectra of the fibers change following exposure to near‐UV radiation with the major fluorophore being substantially photodegraded, evidenced by a substantial loss of emission between 410 and 480 nm, which is largely responsible for the yellow and duller appearance of the fiber. Analysis of the aqueous extracts of the fibers, using electron‐spray ionization mass spectroscopy of aqueous extracts, showed the presence of coumarin, hydroxycoumarin and a number of substituted hydroxycoumarins. The spectral distributions of the fluorescence associated with the unirradiated fibers and their aqueous extracts are consistent with them originating from a number of 7‐hydroxycoumarins present.     

The Synthesis,Photophysical Characterization,and X‐Ray Structure Analysis of Two Polymorphs of 4,4′‐Diacetylstilbene

A palladium(II) acetate‐catalyzed synthesis of 1 that utilizes the novel triazene 1‐{4‐[(E)‐morpholin‐4‐yldiazenyl]phenyl}ethanone as a synthon is described. The room temperature absorption spectra of 1 in various solvents exhibited a π→π* transition in the range of 330–350 nm. Compound 1 was observed to be luminescent, with room‐temperature solution and solid‐state emission spectra that exhibited maxima in the range 400–500 nm. All room‐temperature absorption and emission spectra exhibited some degree of vibrational structure. The emission spectrum of 1 at 77 K in propanenitrile glass was broad and featureless with a maximum at 447 nm. Compound 1 crystallized as a yellow and colorless polymorph. X‐Ray structure analyses of both of these polymorphs and 1‐{4‐[(E)‐morpholin‐4‐yldiazenyl]phenyl}ethanone are presented.     

Application of solid‐phase extraction for the concentration of chromophores,fluorophores, and photosensitizers from lens protein digests

Solid‐phase extraction was applied for the separation of protein digests obtained from aged human lenses, cataractous human lenses, calf lens proteins in vitro glycated with dehydroascorbic acid and native calf lens proteins. Four fractions were collected after stepwise elution with different solvents. The first fraction contained about 80% of the digested material possessing free amino groups. At the same time, the third and the fourth fractions were enriched in chromophores, fluorophores, and photosensitizing structures that originate mainly from advanced protein glycation. The comparison between the total digest and the fourth fraction based on their UV absorption at 330 nm, intensity of fluorescence (excitation/emission 350/450 nm), and production of singlet oxygen upon UVA irradiation argues that the solid‐phase extraction was capable of concentrating the advanced glycation end‐products about a hundredfold. Thus, this technique is a useful step for separation and concentration of fluorophores, chromophores, and photosensitizers from aged and glycated lens protein digests.     

Dual‐enzyme,co‐immobilized capillary microreactor combined with substrate recycling for high‐sensitive glutamate determination based on CE

A new method for high‐sensitive determination of glutamate was developed and evaluated based on CE by using dual‐enzyme co‐immobilized capillary microreactor combined with substrate recycling. The capillary microreactor was prepared by covalently co‐immobilizing glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) on the inner surface of a capillary and was characterized by SEM, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The GDH‐GPT co‐immobilized capillary microreactor showed great stability and reproducibility. The apparent K_m for glutamate with GDH‐GPT coupled reaction was determined to be 0.61±0.06 mM but 2.56±0.24 mM when only GDH was immobilized. Glutamate determination was based on on‐column monitoring UV absorption at 340 nm of the reaction product reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, of which peak area was directly related to the glutamate concentration. The response of the present co‐immobilized GDH‐GPT assay for glutamate is greatly enhanced over single enzyme system, and a 15.7‐fold improvement in sensitivity was obtained. The detection limit of the proposed method is 0.15 μM glutamate (S/N=3). Selectivity for glutamate is good over most of the 20 amino acids. Finally, this method was successfully applied to determine the glutamate content in rat plasma and serum samples.     

UV‐Dissipation Mechanisms in the Eumelanin Building Block DHICA

The UV‐dissipative mechanisms of the eumelanin building block 5,6‐dihydroxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid (DHICA) and the 4,7‐dideutero derivative (DHICA‐d₂) in buffered H₂O or D₂O have been characterized by using ultrafast time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Excitation of the carboxylate anion form, the dominating state at neutral pH, leads to dual fluorescence. The band peaking at λ=378 nm is caused by emission from the excited initial geometry. The second band around λ=450 nm is owed to a complex formed between the mono‐anion and specific buffer components. In the absence of complex formation, the mono‐anion solely decays non‐radiatively or by emission with a lifetime of about 2.1 ns. Excitation of the neutral carboxylic acid state, which dominates at acidic pH, leads to a weak emission around λ=427 nm with a short lifetime of 240 ps. This emission originates from the zwitterionic state, formed upon excitation of the neutral state by sub‐ps excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) between the carboxylic acid group and the indole nitrogen. Future studies will unravel whether this also occurs in larger building blocks and ESIPT is a built‐in photoprotective mechanism in epidermal eumelanin.     

Experimental Study of Hydrogen Bonding Potentially Stabilizing the 5′‐Deoxyadenosyl Radical from Coenzyme B12

Coenzyme B₁₂ can assist radical enzymes that accomplish the vicinal interchange of a hydrogen atom with a functional group. It has been proposed that the Co? C bond homolysis of coenzyme B₁₂ to cob(II)alamin and the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl radical is aided by hydrogen bonding of the corrin C19? H to the 3′‐O of the ribose moiety of the incipient 5′‐deoxyadenosyl radical, which is stabilized by 30 kJ mol^?1 (B. Durbeej et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2009 , 15, 8578–8585). The diastereoisomers (R)‐ and (S)‐2,3‐dihydroxypropylcobalamin were used as models for coenzyme B₁₂. A downfield shift of the NMR signal for the C19? H proton was observed for the (R)‐isomer (δ=4.45 versus 4.01 ppm for the (S)‐isomer) and can be ascribed to an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the C19? H and the oxygen of CHOH. Crystal structures of (R)‐ and (S)‐2,3‐dihydroxypropylcobalamin showed C19? H???O distances of 3.214(7) Å (R‐isomer) and 3.281(11) Å (S‐isomer), which suggest weak hydrogen‐bond interactions (?ΔG<6 kJ mol^?1) between the CHOH of the dihydroxypropyl ligand and the C19? H. Exchange of the C19? H, which is dependent on the cobalt redox state, was investigated with cob(I)alamin, cob(II)alamin, and cob(III)alamin by using NMR spectroscopy to monitor the uptake of deuterium from deuterated water in the pH range 3–11. No exchange was found for any of the cobalt oxidation states. 3′,5′‐Dideoxyadenosylcobalamin, but not the 2′,5′‐isomer, was found to act as a coenzyme for glutamate mutase, with a 15‐fold lower k_cat/K_M than 5′‐deoxyadenosylcobalamin. This indicates that stabilization of the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl radical by a hydrogen bond that involves the C19? H and the 3′‐OH group of the cofactor is, at most, 7 kJ mol^?1 (?ΔG). Examination of the crystal structure of glutamate mutase revealed additional stabilizing factors: hydrogen bonds between both the 2′‐OH and 3′‐OH groups and glutamate 330. The actual strength of a hydrogen bond between the C19? H and the 3′‐O of the ribose moiety of the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl group is concluded not to exceed 6 kJ mol^?1 (?ΔG).     

A Single 2‐(2′‐Hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole Derivative Can Achieve Pure White‐Light Emission

The synthesis and photophysics of two novel 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) derivatives are presented. The electron‐withdrawing trifluoromethyl (CF₃) group in compound 1 facilitates the deprotonation of the phenolic hydroxy group. Well‐resolved triple fluorescence from the enol, keto, and phenolic anion, which ranges from 350 to 600 nm, was detected for 1 in ethanol, which marks the first time triple fluorescence from an excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) molecule has been reported. Both triphenylamine and CF₃ were introduced into derivative 2 . Intramolecular charge transfer and the “red‐edge effect” resulted in the bathochromic shift of dual fluorescence of 2 . Triple fluorescence was also observed for 2 in ethanol. In mixed acetonitrile and ethanol, pure white‐light emission with CIE coordinates of (0.33, 0.33) and a quantum yield of 0.25 was achieved for 2 . This work provides a new avenue for the rational design of an ESIPT molecule to achieve white‐light generation under mild conditions.     

Masked Rhodamine Dyes of Five Principal Colors Revealed by Photolysis of a 2‐Diazo‐1‐Indanone Caging Group: Synthesis,Photophysics, and Light Microscopy Applications

Caged rhodamine dyes (Rhodamines NN) of five basic colors were synthesized and used as “hidden” markers in subdiffractional and conventional light microscopy. These masked fluorophores with a 2‐diazo‐1‐indanone group can be irreversibly photoactivated, either by irradiation with UV‐ or violet light (one‐photon process), or by exposure to intense red light (λ～750 nm; two‐photon mode). All dyes possess a very small 2‐diazoketone caging group incorporated into the 2‐diazo‐1‐indanone residue with a quaternary carbon atom (C‐3) and a spiro‐9H‐xanthene fragment. Initially they are non‐colored (pale yellow), non‐fluorescent, and absorb at λ=330–350 nm (molar extinction coefficient (ε)≈10⁴ M^?1 cm^?1) with a band edge that extends to about λ=440 nm. The absorption and emission bands of the uncaged derivatives are tunable over a wide range (λ=511–633 and 525–653 nm, respectively). The unmasked dyes are highly colored and fluorescent (ε= 3–8×10⁴ M^?1 cm^?1 and fluorescence quantum yields (?)=40–85 % in the unbound state and in methanol). By stepwise and orthogonal protection of carboxylic and sulfonic acid groups a highly water‐soluble caged red‐emitting dye with two sulfonic acid residues was prepared. Rhodamines NN were decorated with amino‐reactive N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl ester groups, applied in aqueous buffers, easily conjugated with proteins, and readily photoactivated (uncaged) with λ=375–420 nm light or intense red light (λ=775 nm). Protein conjugates with optimal degrees of labeling (3–6) were prepared and uncaged with λ=405 nm light in aqueous buffer solutions (?=20–38 %). The photochemical cleavage of the masking group generates only molecular nitrogen. Some 10–40 % of the non‐fluorescent (dark) byproducts are also formed. However, they have low absorbance and do not quench the fluorescence of the uncaged dyes. Photoactivation of the individual molecules of Rhodamines NN (e.g., due to reversible or irreversible transition to a “dark” non‐emitting state or photobleaching) provides multicolor images with subdiffractional optical resolution. The applicability of these novel caged fluorophores in super‐resolution optical microscopy is exemplified.     

The self‐assembly over nano‐ to submicro‐length scales in water of a fluorescent julolidine‐labeled amphiphilic random terpolymer

A novel fluorescent‐labeled amphiphilic random terpolymer is synthesized by controlled radical polymerization of a fluorescent molecular rotor monomer, 2‐cyano‐2‐[4‐vinyl(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐4′‐yl]vinyljulolidine, a hydrophilic monomer, poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, and a hydrophobic monomer, perfluorohexylethyl acrylate. Combined dynamic light scattering and fluorescence emission spectroscopy measurements are used to investigate its self‐assembly in water solution. Self‐assembled nanostructures with a hydrodynamic diameter size D_h of 4 ± 1 nm are detected due to the single‐chain folding of the terpolymer in unimer micelles. The fluorescence emission intensity of the terpolymer in water solution is found to be one order of magnitude higher than that in organic solvents, as a result of the preferential encapsulation of the julolidine co‐units in hydrophobic compartments of the unimer micelles. The temperature dependence of the self‐associative behavior of the amphiphilic terpolymer is also investigated and a critical temperature is identified at which a transition between single‐chain unimer micelles and multi‐chain aggregates (D_h = 400 ± 40 nm) reversibly takes place on heating–cooling cycles. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 797–804     

Well‐defined polymers containing high density of pendant viologen groups

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a viologen‐containing methacrylate, 1‐propyl‐1′‐[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐4,4′‐bipyridinium dihexafluorophosphate, is reported. To achieve good polymerization control, it was essential to use the viologen‐based monomer with a hexafluorophosphate instead of halide counterion, and 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand for the Cu‐based ATRP catalyst. The solubility of produced cationic polymers could be tuned by anion metathesis: the polymers with hexafluorophosphate counterions were soluble in organic solvents (e.g., acetone, DMF), and those with chloride counterions were water‐soluble. In aqueous solutions, the polymers (chloride salts) formed large aggregates, the sizes of which ranged from about 200 to about 400 nm (based on dynamic light scattering measurements) depending on the molecular weight. Upon addition of electrolytes (e.g., NaCl), the aggregates underwent dissociation. The apparent diffusion coefficients of the aggregates existing in aqueous solutions and the products of their electrolyte‐induced dissociation were measured by diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy. The association–dissociation processes were also studied by fluorescence spectroscopy: the aqueous polymer solutions, which were originally fluorescent (λ _em = 402 nm at λ _ex = 350 nm), lost their fluorescence in the presence of NaCl. The addition of small amounts of the viologen‐containing polyelectrolytes to solutions of inorganic salts (NaCl) altered the crystal morphology of the salts due to interaction of the multiple charged pendant groups with small ions. In the presence of reducing agents, the pendant viologen groups were converted to viologen radical‐cations, which are prone to dimerize reversibly in aqueous solutions. Indeed, marked dimerization of viologen radical cations (with absorbance maxima at 520 and 870 nm) was observed in relatively dilute aqueous solutions (4 mg mL^?1) upon addition of reducing agents (hydrazine). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55 , 1173–1182     

Luminescence studies in polymers—V : Fluorescence spectra of regular condensation copolymers related to poly-α-methylstyrene

The fluorescence spectra of poly-α-methylstyrene (PMS) and of copolymers of general structure

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have been compared. The fluorescence in MTHF at 77°K is identical to that of ethylbenzene for all polymers. At room temperature in the same solvent, excimer fluorescence is not observed for the condensation copolymers, in agreement with the results obtained by Hirayama on α, ω-diphenylalkanes. In PMS films, excimer fluorescence at 330 nm is recorded at room temperature whereas both normal and excimer fluorescence are emitted at 77°K. In copolymer films, excimer fluorescence at 330 nm is never observed. At room temperature, the emission consists of variable proportions of normal fluorescence λ_max = 280–290 nm) and of another fluorescence λ_max = 310 nm) assigned to an energy trap different from the excimer site in PMS and polystyrene. At 77°K, normal fluorescence is the main emission.     

Synthesis and intrinsic blue fluorescence study of hyperbranched poly(ester-amide-ether)

A series of hyperbranched poly(ester-amide-ether)s (H-PEAEs) were synthesized via the A₂+CB₃ approach by the self-transesterification of ethyl ester-amide-ethers end-capped with three hydroxyl groups and ethyl ester group at two terminals. The molecular structures were characterized with ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The number average molecular weights were estimated by GPC analysis to possess bimodal wide distribution from 1.57 to 2.09. The strong inherent blue fluorescence was observed at 330 nm for excitation and 390 nm for emission. Moreover, the emission intensity and fluorescence quantum yield increased along with the incorporated ether chain length, as well as almost linearly with the H-PEAE concentration in an aqueous solution. For comparing the fluorescence performance, the linear poly(ester-amide-ether) (L-PEAE) and hyperbranched poly(ester-amide) (H-PEA) were synthesized. The results showed that the coexistence of ether bond and carboxyl group in the molecular chain was essential for generating the strong fluorescence. However, the compact backbone of H-PEAE would be propitious to the enhancement of fluorescence properties.     

Cationic Iridium(III) Complex Containing both Triarylboron and Carbazole Moieties as a Ratiometric Fluoride Probe That Utilizes a Switchable Triplet–Singlet Emission

A novel cationic Ir^III complex [Ir(Bpq)₂(CzbpyCz)]PF₆ (Bpq=2‐[4‐(dimesitylboryl)phenyl]quinoline, CzbpyCz = 5,5′‐bis(9‐hexyl‐9H‐carbazol‐3‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine) containing both triarylboron and carbazole moieties was synthesized. The excited‐state properties of [Ir(Bpq)₂(CzbpyCz)]PF₆ were investigated through UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy and molecular‐orbital calculations. This complex displayed highly efficient orange‐red phosphorescent emission with an emission peak of 583 nm and quantum efficiency of Φ=0.30 in dichloromethane at room temperature. The binding of fluoride ions to [Ir(Bpq)₂(CzbpyCz)]PF₆ can quench the phosphorescent emission from the Ir^III complex and enhance the fluorescent emission from the N^N ligand, which corresponds to a visual change in the emission from orange‐red to blue. Thus, both colorimetric and ratiometric fluoride sensing can be realized. Interestingly, an unusual intense absorption band in the visible region was observed. And the detection of F^? ions can also be carried out with visible light as the excitation wavelength. More importantly, the linear response of the probe absorbance change at λ=351 nm versus the concentration of F^? ions allows efficient and accurate quantification of F^? ions in the range 0–50 μM .     

Synthesis and optical properties of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8

New crown ether carrying two fluorionophores of cis‐dibenzothiazolyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 was synthesized from cis‐diformyldibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 and 2‐aminobenzenethiol. The binding behavior and the optical properties of the crown ether were examined through UV‐visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. When complexed with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ ions, it led to intramolecular charge transfer and caused the changes of the fluorescence spectra. The protonation of the crown ether was also studied. With protonation using CF₃COOH, the absorption bands and the fluorescence spectroscopy changed, the maximal fluorescence wavelengths red shifted and the fluorescence intensity with the maximum at 433 nm enhanced strongly. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Rational Design of Emissive NIR‐Absorbing Chromophores: RhIII Porphyrin‐Aza‐BODIPY Conjugates with Orthogonal Metal–Carbon Bonds

The facile synthesis of Group 9 Rh^III porphyrin‐aza‐BODIPY conjugates that are linked through an orthogonal Rh?C(aryl) bond is reported. The conjugates combine the advantages of the near‐IR (NIR) absorption and intense fluorescence of aza‐BODIPY dyes with the long‐lived triplet states of transition metal rhodium porphyrins. Only one emission peak centered at about 720 nm is observed, irrespective of the excitation wavelength, demonstrating that the conjugates act as unique molecules rather than as dyads. The generation of a locally excited (LE) state with intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) character has been demonstrated by solvatochromic effects in the photophysical properties, singlet oxygen quantum yields in polar solvents, and by the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In nonpolar solvents, the Rh^III conjugates exhibit strong aza‐BODIPY‐centered fluorescence at around 720 nm (Φ_F=17–34 %), and negligible singlet oxygen generation. In polar solvents, enhancements of the singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ=19–27 %, λ_ex=690 nm) have been observed. Nanosecond pulsed time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy confirms that relatively long‐lived triplet excited states are formed. The synthetic methodology outlined herein provides a useful strategy for the assembly of functional materials that are highly desirable for a wide range of applications in material science and biomedical fields.     

Fluorescent and Electrochemical Sensing of Polyphosphate Nucleotides by Ferrocene Functionalised with Two ZnII(TACN)(pyrene) Complexes

The [Fc? bis{Zn^II(TACN)(Py)}] complex, comprising two Zn^II(TACN) ligands (Fc=ferrocene; Py=pyrene; TACN=1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) bearing fluorescent pyrene chromophores linked by an electrochemically active ferrocene molecule has been synthesised in high yield through a multistep procedure. In the absence of the polyphosphate guest molecules, very weak excimer emission was observed, indicating that the two pyrene‐bearing Zn^II(TACN) units are arranged in a trans‐like configuration with respect to the ferrocene bridging unit. Binding of a variety of polyphosphate anionic guests (PPi and nucleotides di‐ and triphosphate) promotes the interaction between pyrene units and results in an enhancement in excimer emission. Investigations of phosphate binding by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence and electrochemical techniques confirmed a 1:1 stoichiometry for the binding of PPi and nucleotide polyphosphate anions to the bis(Zn^II(TACN)) moiety of [Fc? bis{Zn^II(TACN)(Py)}] and indicated that binding induces a trans to cis configuration rearrangement of the bis(Zn^II(TACN)) complexes that is responsible for the enhancement of the pyrene excimer emission. Pyrophosphate was concluded to have the strongest affinity to [Fc? bis{Zn^II(TACN)(Py)}] among the anions tested based on a six‐fold fluorescence enhancement and 0.1 V negative shift in the potential of the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple. The binding constant for a variety of polyphosphate anions was determined from the change in the intensity of pyrene excimer emission with polyphosphate concentration, measured at 475 nm in CH₃CN/Tris‐HCl (1:9) buffer solution (10.0 mM , pH 7.4). These measurements confirmed that pyrophosphate binds more strongly (K_b=(4.45±0.41)×10⁶ M ^?1) than the other nucleotide di‐ and triphosphates (K_b=1–50×10⁵ M ^?1) tested.     

Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Reduced Glutathione Using Organic Nanoparticle Probes

Introduction Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a very important tripeptide.1 GSH widely exists in living tissues. In ani-mal organization, the concentration of free glutathione is in the range 0.5—10.0 mmol/L. Usually over 99% of glutathione is present in the reduced form in all organ-isms.2 Intermediates of GSH biosynthesis such as cys-teine, g-glutamyl-cysteine (g-Glu-Cys) or cysteinyl-gly- cine (Cys-Gly) also occur in the cell but at much lower concentrations.3 GSH plays an important bio…     

A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach toward the Development of Optimized Luminescent Carbostyrils

The synthesis and photophysical data of new carbostyrils (quinoline‐2(1H)‐ones) with the longest hitherto observed absorption‐ and emission wavelengths are described. Introduction of 6‐amino, 7‐MeO, and 4‐(CF₃) substituents enabled us to rise the absorption and fluorescence maxima up to 414 and 557 nm, respectively. Supported by semi‐empirical and ab initio calculations, the 6,7‐(1,4‐diazine)‐fused carbostyril 23b displayed absorption maxima at up to 440 nm, with quantum yields of up to 0.9 and large Stokes shifts (>100 nm), comparable to the best coumarin chromophores known. The new fluorophore is neither pH‐sensitive between pH 6 and 10 nor susceptible to O₂ quenching. At pH 3, the emitted light appears greenish‐white, which arises from three different stages of protonation.