Time-resolved Fluorescence Techniques Research Articles

Selective fluoride ion recognition by a thiourea based receptor linked acridinedione functionalized gold nanoparticles

The design and synthesis of acridinedione functionalized gold nanoparticles based PET anion sensor 6 is described. The sensor 6 employs simple aromatic thiourea as anion receptors and the fluorophore is the acridinedione moiety, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV–vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Upon selective recognition of F− in acetonitrile, the fluorescence emission of 6 was quenched with significant changes in the absorption spectrum. These changes are ascribed due to the hydrogen bonding and deprotonation of the thiourea receptor of ADDTU-GNPs.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer: A promising tool for investigation of the interaction between 1-anthracene sulphonate and serum albumins

This present investigation has revealed that steady state as well as time-resolved fluorescence techniques can serve as highly sensitive monitors for exploring the interaction of fluorescent probe 1-anthracene sulphonate (1-AS) with model transport proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA).We have focused on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between excited tryptophan in transport proteins to 1-AS, for the study of relaxation dynamics of biological molecules.

Fluorescence Spectroscopic Evidence for Hydrogen Bonding and Deprotonation Equilibrium between Fluoride and a Thiourea Derivative

Interaction of anions with thiourea-linked acridinedione fluorophore was studied by absorption, (1)H NMR, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Addition of AcO(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) shows a genuine H-bonded complex with thiourea receptor; whereas, F(-) shows stepwise H-bonding and deprotonation of thiourea NH as confirmed by (1)H NMR titration. Free receptor 1 shows emission maximum at 418 nm; whereas, H-bonded complex of 1·F(-) shows a new redshifted emission maximum at 473 nm and the deprotonated 1 exhibits an emission peak at 502 nm. Presence of these three different emitting species was probed by 3D emission spectroscopic studies. Equilibrium between the free receptor 1, 1·F(-) H-bonded complex and deprotonated 1 was confirmed by time-resolved fluorescence studies. Time-resolved area normalised emission spectra (TRANES) of 1 in the presence of F(-) shows two isoemissive points at 456 and 479 nm between time delays of 0-0.5 ns and 1-20 ns, respectively, due to the existence of three emitting species in equilibrium. Observation of such an equilibrium based on fluorescence spectroscopic studies further proves the earlier reported absorption and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies of H-bonding and deprotonation processes and also illustrates the dynamics of anion-receptor interactions.

A New Fluorescent Sensor Based on 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline Skeleton. Part 2

A novel fluorescent dye bis-(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)-(1,3,4-triphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-6-ylmethyl)-amine (P1) has been synthesized and investigated by means of steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. This compound acts as sensor for fluorescence detection of small inorganic cations (lithium, sodium, barium, magnesium, calcium, and zinc) in highly polar solvents such as acetonitrile. The mechanism which allows application of this compound as sensor is an electron transfer from the electron-donative part of molecule (amine) to the acceptor part (pyrazoloquinoline derivative), which is retarded upon complexation of the electro-donative part by inorganic cations. The binding constants are strongly dependent on the charge density of the analyzed cations. The 2/1 complexes of P1 with Zn++ and Mg++ cations posses large binding constants. Moreover, in the presence of these cations a significant bathochromic shift of fluorescence is observed. The most probable explanation of such behaviour is the formation of intramolecular excimer. This is partially supported by the quantum chemical calculations.

Photophysics and dynamics of a β-carboline analogue in room temperature ionic liquids

Room temperature ionic liquids are rapidly emerging as a new class of media that are ideally suited for various applications including carrying out chemical reactions. In the present article, we report the photophysics of a β-carboline analogue, namely, 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H indolo-[2,3-a] quinolizine (AODIQ), in three room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate ([BMIM][MeSO(4)]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate ([BMIM][C(8)SO(4)]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methyl sulfate ([EMIM][MeSO(4)]). Out of these, [BMIM][C(8)SO(4)] is a typical RTIL that forms micellar aggregates above a critical micellar concentration (CMC). Steady state absorption, steady state and time resolved fluorescence techniques are used to probe the properties of these systems. The investigation reveals that the photophysics of AODIQ is modified significantly in the micelle-forming RTIL as compared to that in the other two. A comparative study with the fluorophore in [BMIM][C(8)SO(4)] and a conventional anionic surfactant of a similar hydrophobic chain length from the sodium-n-alkyl sulfate series, viz., sodium octyl sulfate (S(8)S), reveals that the fluorophore experiences a more constrained environment in the RTIL micelle as compared to the conventional anionic micelle.

Ultrafast Dynamics of the Excited States of Curcumin in Solution

Dynamics of the excited singlet (S(1)) state of curcumin has been investigated in a wide varieties of solvents using subpicosecond time-resolved fluorescence and absorption spectroscopic techniques. As a consequence of extra stability of the cis-enol conformer due to the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond, it is the major form existing in the ground-state and the excited-state processes described here has been attributed to this form. Steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra suggest significant perturbation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond and the possibility of formation of intermolecular hydrogen-bonded complex with the hydrogen-bonding solvents. Both the time-resolved techniques used here reveal that solvation is the major process contributing to the relaxation dynamics of the S(1) state. Solvation dynamics in protic solvents is multimodal, and the linear correlation between the longest component of the solvation process and the longitudinal relaxation time of the solvent suggests the specific hydrogen-bonding interaction between the solute and the solvent. However, a good correlation between the experimentally determined average solvation time and that predicted by the dielectric continuum model in all kinds of solvents also suggests that the dielectric relaxation of the solvent is also an important contributor to the solvation process. The lifetime of the S(1) state is very short in nonpolar solvents (∼44 ps in 1,4-dioxane) because of efficient nonradiative deactivation of the S(1) state, which is an important consequence of the ultrafast excited-state intramolecular hydrogen transfer (ESIHT) reaction in the six-membered hydrogen-bonded chelate ring of the cis-enol form. However, it has not been possible to monitor the ESIHT reaction in real time because of the symmetrical structure of the molecule with respect to the hydrogen-bonded chelate ring. In polar solvents, dipole-dipole interaction perturbs the intramolecular hydrogen bond leading to the reduced efficiency of the nonradiative deactivation process. However, stretching vibration in the intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed in the hydrogen-bonding (both donating and accepting) solvents induces another efficient channel for the nonradiative relaxation of the S(1) state of curcumin.

Acridinedione-functionalized gold nanoparticles and model for the binding of 1,3-dithiol linked acridinedione on gold clusters

The design and synthesis of 1,3-dithiol linked acridinedione functionalized gold nanoparticles ( ADDDT- GNP) is described. ADDDT- GNP was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV–vis, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Conformational analysis of 1,3-dithiol ligands using density functional theory (DFT) reveals that they can cap on gold clusters through 1,2-capping mode, in which the two sulfur atoms of the dithiol bind covalently with two adjacent gold atoms on the surface of the cluster. The present study shows that three conformers of the ligand can cap in the 1,2-mode of capping. The triexponential fluorescence decay observed in the capped nanogold complex with fluorophore-labeled 1,3-dithiol may originate from the three conformers of the complex in the 1,2-capping mode.

Studies of Interaction Between Cyanine Dye T-284 and Fibrillar Alpha-Synuclein

A key feature of Parkinson's disease is the formation and accumulation of amyloid fibrils of the natively unfolded protein α-synuclein (ASN) inside neurons. Recently we have proposed novel sensitive monomethinecyanine dye T-284 as fluorescent probe for quantitative detection of ASN amyloid fibrils. In this study the T-284 dye complex with ASN fibril was characterized by means of fluorescence anisotropy, atomic force microscopy and time-resolved fluorescence techniques to give further insights into the mode of dye interaction with amyloid fibrils. The fluorescence anisotropy of T-284 was shown to noticeably increase upon addition of aggregated proteins indicating on stable dye/amyloid fibril complex formation. AFM imaging of fibrillar wild-type ASN revealed differences in heights between ASN fibrils alone and in presence of the T-284 dye (6.37 ± 1.0nm and 8.0 ± 1.1nm respectively), that is believed to be caused by embedding of T-284 dye molecules in the "binding channel" running along the fibril. Fluorescence decay analysis of the T-284 in complexes with fibrillar ASN variants revealed the fluorescence lifetime values for T-284/fibril complexes to be an order of magnitude higher as compared to the free dye. Also, the fluorescence decay of free T-284 was bi-exponential, while dye bound to protein yields tri-exponential decay. We suppose that in complexes with fibrillar ASN variants T-284 dye might exist in different "populations" due to interaction with fibrils in different conformers and ways. The exact binding mode of T-284 with ASN fibrils needs further studies. Studied parameters of dye/amyloid fibril complexes are important for the characterization and screening of newly-developed amyloid-sensitive dyes.

Environmental effects on luminescence of meso-tetra-2-chlorophenylporphyrin

Effects of solvent polarity on the photophysical behaviour of meso-tetra-2-chlorophenylporphyrin have been studied by means of steady-state absorption and fluorescence, as well as time-resolved fluorescence techniques. A non-mirror symmetric absorption and emission spectra due to vibronic borrowing were obtained. Time-resolved fluorescence study indicated the bi-exponential decay kinetics for both the emission bands, observed in steady-state emission spectra. Such findings implied that there exists two emitting species on the photoinduced conformational excursions of the excited-state equilibrium and also that their relative contributions to emission change with solvent polarity. Monte Carlo conformational search based on force-field molecular mechanics was performed to locate equilibrium conformers in the ground state which enable evaluation of the ground-state barrier energies. This was followed by CIS and ZINDO calculations to explore the excited-state barriers.

Modulated photophysics of 2-anthracene sulphonate in micellar assembly

The association of a non-ionic surfactant of polyoxyethylene-p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl ether (Triton X) series with 2-AS in aqueous solution has been studied by means of steady-state, time-resolved fluorescence and fluorescence anisotropy techniques. The effect of the hydrophobic chain length on the structural dynamism of the fluorophore has been reported. Experimental results demonstrate that the equilibrium of this dynamism is sensitive to the environment. The association constant of the probe molecule with the non-ionic micelles of Triton X (TX), location of the probe in the micellar environment, have been determined from the change in emission characteristics of the probe as a function of surfactant concentration. The rate constant of quenching and mode of quenching of probe in micellar media have been ascertained. Quantitative estimates of the micropolarity at the binding sites of the probe molecule have been determined. Some of the environment-dependent relevant fluorescence parameters, fluorescence anisotropy ( r), have been monitored for exploring the imposed motional restriction of the microenvironment around the probe. An attempt has been made to correlate the steady-state results with time resolved study.

New Fluorescent Sensors Based on 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline Skeleton

Novel fluorescing dyes 1,3,4-triphenyl-6-(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-aza-cyclopentadec-13-ylmethyl)-1H-pyrazolo [3,4-b]quinoline (K1) and 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)-(1,3,4-triphenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-6-ylmethyl)-amino] ethanol (L1) have been synthesized and investigated by the means of steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. These compounds act as sensors for the fluorescence detection of small inorganic cations (lithium, sodium, barium, magnesium and calcium) in solvents of different polarities (THF and acetonitrile). The mechanism, which allows application of these compounds as sensors, is an electron transfer from the electro-donative part of molecule to the acceptor part (fluorophore), which is retarded upon complexation of the electro-donative part by inorganic cations. We found that crown ether-containing compound is very sensitive to the addition of any investigated ions but amino alcohol-containing one exhibits better selectivity to the addition of two-valued cations. Two kinds of the complexes (LM(+) and L(2)M(+)) were found in the investigated systems. In addition, the dyes may be used as fluorescence indicators in solvents of lower polarity like tetrahydrofuran.

Photophysics and Photochemical Studies of the Vitamin B6 Group and Related Derivatives

The photophysics and photochemical properties of vitamin B6 constituents and analogs were studied as function of pH and solvent. The pK of the phenolic oxygen and the pyridine ring nitrogen depends on the electron donor-acceptor ability of the 4-substituent, and agrees with the calculated proton affinity. For all studied compounds, the fluorescence properties showed that the phenolic oxygen is 8 units more acidic in the lowest singlet excited state than in the ground state. The pyridine N-atom is slightly more basic in the excited state. At pH of biological significance, pH 6-8, pyridoxamine and 4-pyridoxic acid are the more efficient chromophores with higher fluorescence yield and longer lifetime. Spectroscopic studies showed that the tautomeric equilibrium depends on the nature of the 4-substituent. The quenching of the singlet excited state of pyridoxamine and 4-pyridoxic acid by amino acids, free or in a peptide, and DNA bases at pH 7 was studied by time-resolved fluorescence techniques. The quenching rate constants are well correlated with the redox properties of the pyridoxinic compound and amino acids, and are related to the free energy change in the electron transfer process. Guanosine and pyrimidine bases also are efficient quenchers, involving an electron transfer reaction.

Fluorescent Probes of Membrane-Bound α-Synuclein: Insights into the Role of Membranes in Aggregation

Identifying pathways of α-synuclein misfolding are of great importance because the presence of aggregated α-syn in the brain is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Due to the proximity of α-syn to synaptic organelles in vivo, the role of phospholipid membranes in modulating α-syn oligomer and aggregate formation is of particular interest. To probe how membranes affect α-syn conformation, we use circular dichroism spectroscopy as a secondary structural probe in conjunction with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. Specifically, we employ single Trp-containing and dye labeled (1,5-IAEDANS, IANBD amide) α-syn variants to report on residue-specific environments and intermolecular contacts via changes in intrinsic fluorescence and measurements of Förster energy transfer between proteins modified with either donor or acceptor fluorophores. Using these methods, we aim to characterize the protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions that promote protein aggregation.

Laser-induced fluorescence measurements on CdSe quantum dots

In this paper, we report on photoluminescence decay measurements on CdSe quantum dots (QDs) as a function of size in the diameter range of 2.1 to 3.5 nm. The nanoparticles were synthesized by the kinetic growth method from CdO and elemental Se precursors. We studied the effects of growth time on the diameter, emission spectrum and the fluorescence lifetime of the synthesized QDs. The decay time measurements were performed using single shot time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence techniques using a Nd:YAG laser system. Two different decay times were measured on each CdSe sample, a fast one and a relatively slow one. The slow decay was found to be size dependent whereas the fast one was independent of the QD diameter. .

Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study of Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhancement by Restriction of Intramolecular Charge Transfer State

Cyano-substituted oligo (alpha-phenylenevinylene)-1,4-bis(R-cyano-4-diphenylaminostyryl)-2,5-diphenylbenzene (CNDPASDB) molecules are studied in solution and aggregate state by time-resolved fluorescence techniques. CNDPASDB exhibits a strong solvent polarity dependent characteristic of aggregation-induced emission (AIE). By time-dependent spectra, the gradual transition from local excited state to intramolecular charge transfer state with the increasing solvent polarity is clearly resolved. The transition time in high polarity solvent DMF is very fast, around 0.5 ps, resulting in a low fluorescence quantum yield. While in aggregate state, the intramolecular torsion is restricted and the local environment becomes less polar. Thus, the intramolecular charge transfer state is eliminated and efficient AIE occurs.

A study of collisional quenching and radiation-trapping kinetics for Rb(5p) in the presence of methane and ethane using time-resolved fluorescence

An experimental study using time-resolved fluorescence techniques together with theoretical simulations has been conducted and used to determine the quenching cross-sections of rubidium–methane and rubidium–ethane. Radiation trapping was significant under many of the experimental conditions (temperatures 40–130 °C and pressures 50–700 Torr) and a detailed analysis of the interplay between radiation trapping and quenching kinetics was carried out. Modifications of the Holstein equation for radiation trapping were implemented to account for the quasi-2 level behaviour of the Rb atom for high buffer gas pressures, the absolute frequency-dependent absorption cross-section for Rb with variable buffer gas pressures which accounts for the hyperfine splitting of 87Rb and modification of the trapping factors so that radiation trapping and quenching by an additive quenching gas could be treated simultaneously. Experimental results supported by theoretical simulations bound the quenching cross-sections (σ) of methane and ethane at 40 °C to be σ ⩽ 0.019 Å2 and σ ⩽ 0.033 Å2, respectively. These values are nearly two orders of magnitude smaller than previously reported.

Encapsulation of 2-(4′-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine in β-cyclodextrin: effect on H-bond-induced intramolecular charge transfer emission

The effect of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) inclusion complex formation on the hydrogen bond-induced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of 2-(4'-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (DMAPIP-b) has been examined by fluorescence excitation, emission and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. The study reveals that DMAPIP-b forms 1 : 1 inclusion complex with beta-CD. The host-guest complex is formed by partial inclusion of DMAPIP-b, i.e. only the dimethylaminophenyl ring is encapsulated inside the core of the beta-CD nanocavity. The imidazopyridine ring of the guest molecule resides outside CD cavity and forms H-bonds with the water molecules that are present near the rim and in the bulk phase. (1)H NMR studies are used to confirm the inclusion complex. The H-bond of water with the pyridine nitrogen ensures the formation of the ICT state and both normal and ICT emissions are enhanced inside the beta-CD cavity. Fluorescence lifetime measurements suggest that the formation of the ICT state from the locally excited state is irreversible. Dual emission is observed in the presence of beta-CD at pH approximately 3.5, due to emission from monocations formed by the protonation of pyridine nitrogen (MC1) and imidazole nitrogen (MC2).

Application of Fluorescence Techniques to Characterise the Preparation of Protein-Containing Sol-Gel Derived Hosts for use as Catalytic Media

In this work we collate and review the usage that we have made of fluorescence techniques employed to follow the sol to gel transition and aging in different tetraethylorthosilicate based materials. The sol-gel method allows porous glasslike of good optical quality to be produced at relatively low (ambient) temperatures, which facilitates the incorporation of a range of molecules; from laser dyes to biomolecules. Here the use of “common” viscosity (DASPMI) and polarity (Nile red) sensitive fluorescence probes to monitor the host manufacture is made. Nile red was also used to label two catalytically active proteins (cytochrome c and subtilisin Carlsberg). These were incorporated into the different host media and the dye used to ascertain changes in protein conformation, both upon incorporation and at the end of an aging period. Complementary measurements of catalytic activity were performed. The probe emission was monitored via steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques and comparison made with the catalytic activity measurements to elucidate the amount of accessible and active protein. Overall it was found that the hosts became stable after an aging period approaching 20 days and that the major influence on the catalytic reaction rates was that of host mediated mass transport.

Photophysics of 2-(4′-N,N-Dimethylaminophenyl)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine in Micelles: Selective Dual Fluorescence in Sodium dodecylsulphate and Triton X-100

The photophysical behavior of 2-(4'-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (DMAPIP-b) has been studied in nonionic triton X-100 (TX-100), cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) micelles using steady state and time resolved fluorescence techniques. The molecule emits both normal and TICT fluorescence in SDS and TX-100 but emits only normal fluorescence in CTAB. This difference in behavior of the fluorophore is due to varying extent of hydrogen bonding experience by it in different micelles. Of the three possible monocations, only two kinds of monocations, MC1 (formed by protonation of pyridine ring nitrogen) and MC2 (formed by the protonation of imidazole nitrogen) are present in all the micelles (Scheme 1). DFT calculations performed on the monocations reveal that MC1 and MC2 are more stable than MC3, the monocation formed by the protonation of dimethylamino nitrogen.

Investigations to reveal the nature of interactions between bovine hemoglobin and semiconductor zinc oxide nanoparticles by using various optical techniques

The interaction between bovine hemoglobin (BHb) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle is investigated by UV–vis absorption, fluorescence, synchronous fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, FT-IR and circular dichroism techniques under physiological pH 7.4. The static mode of fluorescence quenching of BHb by ZnO nanoparticle indicates formation of BHb–ZnO complex in the ground state. The process of binding of ZnO nanoparticles on BHb is a spontaneous molecular interaction procedure in which electrostatic interaction plays a major role. The CD spectra reveal that α helicity of BHb is reduced by increasing ZnO nanoparticle concentration although the structure of BHb preserves its α-helical structure.