Bernard Valeur

Design principles of fluorescent molecular sensors for cation recognition

Abstract The main classes of fluorescent molecular sensors for cation recognition are presented: they differ by the nature of the cation-controlled photoinduced processes: photoinduced electron transfer, photoinduced charge transfer, excimer formation or disappearance. In each class, distinction is made according to the structure of the complexing moiety: chelators, podands, coronands (crown ethers), cryptands, calixarenes. The most representative examples are presented in each subclass with special attention given to selectivity.

Synthesis and Photophysical and Cation‐Binding Properties of Mono‐ and Tetranaphthylcalix[4]arenes as Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Sensors for Sodium

The syntheses and properties of two calixarene-based fluorescent molecular sensors are reported. These comprise tert-butylcalix[4]arene either with one appended fluorophore and three ester groups (Calix-AMN1). or with four appended fluorophores (Calix-AMN4). The fluorophore is 6-acyl-2-methoxynaphthalene (AMN), which contains an electron-donating substituent (methoxy group) conjugated to an electron-withdrawing substituent (carbonyl group); this allows photoinduced charge transfer (PCT) to occur upon excitation. The investigated fluoroionophores thus belong to the family of PCT fluorescent molecular sensors. In addition to the expected red shifts of the absorption and emission spectra upon cation binding, a drastic enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yield-in an off- on fashion comparable to that seen in photoinduced electron transfer (PET) molecular sensors-was observed. For Calix-AMN1. it increases from 10(-3) for the free ligand to 0.68 for the complex with Ca2+. This exceptional behaviour can be interpreted in terms of the relative locations of the npi* and pipi* levels, which depend on the charge density of the bound cation. For Calix-AMN4. in addition to the photophysical effects observed for Calix-AMN1, interactions between the chromophores by complexation with some cations have been found in the ground state (hypochromic effect) and in the excited state (excimer formation). Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy measurements for the system Na+ is included in Calix-AMN4, show a depolarization effect due to energy transfer (homotransfer) between the fluorophores. Regarding the complexing properties, a high selectivity for Na+ over K+, Li+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ was observed in ethanol and ethanol-water mixtures. The selectivity (Na+/other cations) expressed as the ratio of the stability constants was found to be more than 400.

Photophysics of calixarenes bearing two or four dansyl fluorophores: charge, proton and energy transfers

The photophysical properties of calixarenes bearing two and four dansyl derivatives (Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4) were investigated in a CH(3)CN/H(2)O mixture (60 : 40 v/v). The carboxydansyl (DANS1) was used as a reference compound. The pH titration of DANS1 permits determination of two pK(A) values (2.4 and 6.3). The charge-transfer character of this type of fluorophore is discussed. The protonated dansyl group LH(2)(+) undergoes photoinduced proton transfer. The photophysical characterization (absorption spectra, emission spectra, quantum yield and fluorescence decays) of Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4 showed that nonradiative energy transfer occurs from a dansyl fluorophore in the basic form to another one in the neutral form. The transfer efficiencies are 0.1 and 0.5 for Calix-DANS2 and Calix-DANS4, respectively. Fluorescence data analysis allowed us to determine the fractions of dansyl fluorophores in the basic and neutral forms.

A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent molecular sensor for Pb(II) based on a calix[4]arene bearing four dansyl groups

A new fluorescent molecular sensor based on a calix[4]arene bearing four dansyl groups exhibits very efficient binding in acetonitrile-water for lead and the changes of emission properties allows a detection limit of 4 microg L(-1).

Fluorescence anisotropy measurements in solution: Methods and reference materials (IUPAC Technical Report)

After recalling the basic relations relevant to both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence polarization, it is shown how the values of steady-state polarized intensities recorded experimentally usually need to be corrected for systematic effects and errors, caused by instrumentation and sample properties. A list of selected reference values of steady-state fluorescence anisotropy and polarization is given. Attention is also paid to analysis of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy data obtained by pulse fluorometry or phase and modulation fluorometry techniques. Recommendations for checking the accuracy of measurements are provided together with a list of selected time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy data as reported in the literature.

Photophysics of Calix[4]biscrown-based ditopic receptors of caesium containing one or two dioxocoumarin fluorophores.

The ditopic receptors Calix-COU1 and Calix-COU2 consist of a calix[4]biscrown containing one or two dioxycoumarin fluorophores, respectively, inserted into the crown. They can form 1:1 and 2:1 (metal:ligand) complexes with caesium ions. The photophysical properties of the 1:1 complexes can be explained by (i) cation tunneling through the tube-shaped cavity (composed of the four phenyl rings) of the calix[4]biscrown, (ii) photodisruption of the interaction between the bound cation and the oxygen atoms belonging to both the coumarin moiety and the crown, (iii) photoinduced motions of the cation.

Reversible Bulk Photorelease of Strontium Ion from a Crown Ether‐Linked Merocyanine

The use of a crown-ether-linked merocyanine, DCM-crown, for producing photoinduced, long-lived and reversible concentration jumps of metal cations is reexamined. In this new investigation, the excited-state behavior of DCM-crown complexed with a strontium ion in acetonitrile is found to exhibit the same trends as those previously reported with calcium and lithium ions. However, some new features provide evidence for cation photorelease to the bulk. Subpicosecond transient absorption experiments confirm the initial fast photodisruption of the interaction between the ion and the crown, and the formation of a loose complex after intramolecular charge transfer within the chromophore. Two additional steps are observed. Firstly, a continuous red shift of the gain spectrum is seen on the subnanosecond scale. It is assigned to the movement of the Sr2+ cation away from the chromophore, partly to the bulk of the solvent and partly towards the formation of an ultraloose complex with oxygen atoms of the crown. Secondly, a free-ligand-like absorption remains after the complete decay of the excited state. This band, which signals a total photorelease of the Sr2+ ion, disappears with a characteristic time of about 110 ns, attributed to the recomplexation of the crown in the ground state of the dye.

Photophysical and Structural Features of Inclusion Complexes with Fluorescent Dyes

A new water-solubleβ-cyclodextrin with seven steroidic naphthalene chromophores linked to the primary rim (see figure) can form 1:1 and 2:1 inclusion complexes with merocyanine and oxazine fluorescent dyes. In the 2:1 (CD:dye) complexes, the cyclodextrin secondary rims are facing. With fourteen chromophores surrounding an energy acceptor, such complexes are outstanding artificial antennae.