Electron transport reactions between pyrene and methylviologen in a model biological membrane

Abstract

Electron transport reactions in a phospholipid vesicle solution have been investigated by time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Photoelectrons were produce by two-photon absorption of the pyrene chromophore adsorbed in a model membrane (vesicle) and were captured either by bound pyrene, which was covalently attached to the surfactant molecule anchored in the hydrophobic bilayer of the membrane, or by methylviologen which was located in the outer water phase of the vesicle solution. The lifetimes and yields of pyrene fluorescence and of the lowest pyrene triplet state were not affected by the addition of methylviologen.