Synthesis, Characterization, and Luminescence Properties of Anthrylpolyamines: An Experiment for an Integrated, Advanced Laboratory Course

A 10-week, open-ended experiment for a junior/senior-level integrated laboratory course is described. The project involves the synthesis and instrumental characterization of two monosubstituted and two disubstituted anthrylpolyamines of varying lengths, as well as a detailed investigation of their photophysical and photochemical properties in the presence of polyanions of biological interest. Depending on the nature of the polyanion, emission quenching of the anthracene chromophore occurs by a template-directed excimer formation, or by an energy-transfer process. A correlation between the charge of the protonated anthrylpolyamines and the degree of emission quenching is also investigated. This project is ideally suited for introducing students to different quenching mechanisms within the context of a research-oriented, integrated laboratory experience.