Synthesis of a self organizable curcumin derivative and investigation of its interaction with metals in 100% aqueous media

We report the synthesis of a self organizable and water dispersible bis PEGylated (bis polyethyleneglycolated) curcumin (1) using an efficient synthetic method. Compound 1 forms nanoparticles on the order of 90 nm in water. Even though it forms nanoparticles, compound 1 interacts strongly with metal ions, Al⁺³, Cu⁺², and Hg⁺². Fluorescence and absorption spectroscopic techniques were employed to investigate the metal interactions of these nanoparticles. Al⁺³ and Cu⁺² ions interact with compound 1 leading to enhancement and dramatic quenching in the fluorescence of the latter in 100% water, respectively. Addition of Hg⁺² ions to compound 1 in water produces a ratiometric change in the absorption spectra of the nanoparticles. Although PEGylated curcumin derivatives were reported in the past, there have been no reports on their self organization into nanoparticles and extensive studies on their metal interaction properties in 100% water using its fluorescence and absorption properties.