Isabel Ferreira Machado

Surface Photochemistry: Organic Molecules within Nanocavities of Calixarenes

: In order to gain more information regarding photochemical processes in heterogeneous environments (opaque or powdered samples) laser induced time resolved luminescence and diffuse reflectance transient absorption spectroscopies were used for the study of benzophenone (and other neutral organic molecules) as guests and p-tert-butylcalix[n]arenes with n = 4, 6 and 8 (H(n)CLX[n]) and partially or totally O-propylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes (H(n)Pr(m)CLX[4], n = 2, 1 and 0; m = 2, 3 and 4, respectively) were used as hosts. One of the main conclusions was that the solid support can deeply affect or even control the photochemistry of an adsorbed probe. A simple new methodology for lifetime distribution analysis of the decay of the probes included into calixarenes and other nanocavities was applied with success for decay data obtained with the use of intensified charge couple devices, i.e. intensified charge couple devices, ICCDs. Diffuse reflectance laser flash photolysis and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry techniques also provided complementary information, the former about transient species and the latter regarding the final products formed after light absorption.

Novel laser-induced luminescence resulting from benzophenone/O-propylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene complexes. A diffuse reflectance study

Laser-induced room temperature luminescence of air-equilibrated benzophenone/O-propylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene solid powdered samples revealed the existence of a novel emission, in contrast with benzophenone/p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene complexes, where only benzophenone emits. This novel emission was identified as phosphorescence of 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, which is formed as the result of an hydrogen atom abstraction reaction of the triplet excited benzophenone from the propoxy substituents of the calixarene. Room temperature phosphorescence was obtained in air-equilibrated samples in all propylated hosts. The decay times of the benzophenone emission vary greatly with the degree of propylation, the shortest lifetimes being obtained in the tri- and tetrapropylated calixarenes. Triplet-triplet absorption of benzophenone was detected in all cases, and is the predominant absorption in the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene case. where an endo-calix complex is formed. Benzophenone ketyl radical formation occurs with the O-propylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arenes hosts, suggesting a different type of host/guest molecular arrangement. Diffuse reflectance laser flash photolysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques provided complementary information, the former about transient species and the latter regarding the final products formed after light absorption. Product analysis and identification clearly show that the two main degradation photoproducts following laser excitation in the propylated substrates are 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione and 2-hydroxybenzophenone, although several other minor photodegradation products were identified. A detailed mechanistic analysis is proposed. While the solution photochemistry of benzophenone is dominated by the hydrogen abstraction reaction from suitable hydrogen donors, in these solid powdered samples, the alpha-cleavage reaction also plays an important role. This finding occurs even with one single laser pulse which lasts only a few nanoseconds, and is apparently related to the fact that scattered radiation exists, due to multiple internal reflections possibly trapping light within non-absorbing microcrystals in the sample, and is detected until at least 20 micros after the laser pulse. This could explain how photoproducts thus formed could also be excited with only one laser pulse.

Spectroscopy and photophysics of flavin-related compounds: 3-benzyl-lumiflavin.

Molecular structure, spectroscopic and photophysical data for the singlet state of 3-benzyl-lumiflavin in different solvents are presented. Theoretical studies concerning singlet–singlet and triplet–triplet excitation energies were carried out using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. These predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results, which reflect the solvent interactions. All the observable singlet–singlet transitions have π–π* character. The title compound appears to be an efficient sensitizer of the production of singlet oxygen (ϕΔ = 0.53). The crystal structure of 3-benzyl-lumiflavin is also presented, along with its solid-state photophysical data.

Comprehensive Photochemistry and Photophysics of Land‐ and Marine‐based β‐carbolines Employing Time‐resolved Emission and Flash Transient Spectroscopy

Abstract The photophysical and photochemical behavior of Norharmane (Norh), Harmane (Hara) and Harmine (Hari) and their cations have been examined as a function of the nature of the solvent. Time-resolved emission in nonprotic polar solvents showed fluorescence for all and also phosphorescence for Hari. All emissions were assigned as those of the neutral molecules. Norh and Hari showed fluorescence of both the neutral and the cation in methanol as well as phosphorescence of the neutral while Hari also had fluorescence of the zwitter ion. In ethanol, Norh and Hari displayed fluorescence and phosphorescence of the neutral. The ground-state cations of Norh and Hari exhibited fluorescences of the cation and Hari also had a phosphorescence (cation). The flash transient spectra in nonprotic solvents of all three carbolines had long-lived triplet transients only of the neutral. Triplet and singlet oxygen yields were quite high, 0.31–0.40. Direct excitation of any of the cations gave only the cation triplet. The triplet yields of the cations appear to be low (0.01–0.10 range). Theoretical calculations were done relative to location of triplet states. Some new information will be reported on other naturally occurring differently substituted marine-based β-carbolines. The impact of all of the foregoing observations on the photosensitizing potential of all compounds is discussed.

Phloxine B as a Probe for Entrapment in Microcrystalline Cellulose

The photophysical behaviour of phloxine B adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose was evaluated by reflectance spectroscopy and laser induced time-resolved luminescence in the picosecond-nanosecond and microsecond-millisecond ranges. Analysis of the absorption spectral changes with concentration points to a small tendency of the dye to aggregate in the range of concentrations under study. Prompt fluorescence, phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence spectral decays were measured at room temperature and 77 K, without the need of sample degassing because cellulose protects triplet states from oxygen quenching. In all cases, spectral changes with time and lifetime distribution analysis were consistent with the dye coexisting in two different environments: dyes tightly entrapped between polymer chains in crystalline regions of cellulose showed longer fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetimes and more energetic triplet states, while dyes adsorbed in more amorphous regions of the support showed shorter lifetimes and less energetic triplet states. This behaviour is discussed in terms of the different dye-support interactions in both kinds of adsorption sites.

Surface photochemistry of pesticides containing 4-chlorophenoxyl chromophore

The surface photochemistry of pesticides containing 4-chlorophenoxyl chromophore was accessed on the model surfaces cellulose and silica, using diffuse reflectance and chromatographic techniques. 4-Chloroanisole was chosen as the model compound and its phototransformation was followed under lamp (254 nm) and sunlight irradiation. The photodegradation rates are faster on cellulose than on silica. The main photodegradation products on cellulose are anisole and dimerization compounds while on silica the formation of 4-hydroxyanisole and dimerization are the main reaction pathways. Transient absorption studies showed the formation of the 4-methoxyphenylperoxyl radical only on cellulose and in the presence of oxygen. The homolytic cleavage of the C-Cl bond, and consequent formation of a triplet radical pair, is the main primary reaction step on both surfaces. The radical pair then diffuses apart or undergoes electron transfer to form phenyl radicals and phenyl cations, respectively. These two reaction intermediates account for reduction, addition, and formation of bonded residues, the main reactions observed on the studied surfaces and also expected to prevail under natural conditions.

Eosin Y Triplet State as a Probe of Spatial Heterogeneity in Microcrystalline Cellulose

The photophysical behavior of eosin Y adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose was evaluated by reflectance spectroscopy, steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy and laser induced time‐resolved luminescence. On increasing the concentration of the dye, small changes in absorption spectra, fluorescence redshifts and fluorescence quenching are observed. Changes in absorption spectra point to the occurrence of weak exciton interactions among close‐lying dye molecules, whereas fluorescence is affected by reabsorption and excitation energy trapping. Phosphorescence decays are concentration independent as a result of the negligible exciton interaction of dye pairs in the triplet state. Lifetime distribution and bilinear regression analyses of time‐resolved phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence spectra reveal the existence of two different environments: long‐lived, more energetic triplet states arise from dyes tightly entrapped within the cellulose chains, while short‐lived, less‐energetic states result from dyes in more flexible environments. Stronger hydrogen bond interactions between the dye and cellulose hydroxyl groups lead in the latter case to a lower triplet energy and faster radiationless decay. These effects, observed also at low temperatures, are similar to those encountered in several amorphous systems, but rather than being originated in changes in the environment during the triplet lifetime, they are ascribed in this case to spatial heterogeneity.

Studies on the Synthesis, Photophysical and Biological Evaluation of Some Unsymmetrical Meso-Tetrasubstituted Phenyl Porphyrins

We designed three unsymmetrical meso-tetrasubstituted phenyl porphyrins for further development as theranostic agents for cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT): 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (P2.2), Zn(II)-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (Zn(II)2.2) and Cu(II)-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (Cu(II)2.2). The porphyrinic compounds were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, EPR and NMR. The compounds had a good solubility in polar/nonpolar media. P2.2 and, to a lesser extent, Zn(II)2.2 were fluorescent, albeit with low fluoresence quantum yields. P2.2 and Zn(II)2.2 exhibited PDT-acceptable values of singlet oxygen generation. A “dark” cytotoxicity study was performed using cells that are relevant for the tumor niche (HT-29 colon carcinoma cells and L929 fibroblasts) and for blood (peripheral mononuclear cells). Cellular uptake of fluorescent compounds, cell viability/proliferation and death were evaluated. P2.2 was highlighted as a promising theranostic agent for PDT in solid tumors considering that P2.2 generated PDT-acceptable singlet oxygen yields, accumulated into tumor cells and less in blood cells, exhibited good fluorescence within cells for imagistic detection, and had no significant cytotoxicity in vitro against tumor and normal cells. Complexing of P2.2 with Zn(II) or Cu(II) altered several of its PDT-relevant properties. These are consistent arguments for further developing P2.2 in animal models of solid tumors for in vivo PDT.