Marek Józefowicz

Preferential solvation of fluorenone and 4-hydroxyfluorenone in binary solvent mixtures

Abstract Preferential solvation of fluorenone and 4-hydroxyfluorenone in binary solvent mixtures has been studied using steady-state spectroscopic measurements. This study concerns the solvent-induced shift of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of both molecules in two solvent mixtures, i.e., cyclohexane–tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexane–ethanol. The first system contains polar solute molecules, fluorenone and 4-hydroxyfluorenone, in a mixture of polar aprotic (tetrahydrofuran) and non-polar (cyclohexane) solvents. In the second solvents mixture, hydrogen bonding with solute molecules (ethanol) may occur. The results of spectroscopic measurements are analysed using theoretical models of Bakshiev, Mazurenko and Suppan which describe preferential solvation phenomena. In the case of cyclohexane–tetrahydrofuran mixtures, the deviation from linearity in the absorption and fluorescence solvatochromic shifts vs. the solution polarity is due to non-specific dipolar solvent–solute interactions. For cyclohexane–ethanol binary mixtures, both non-specific and specific (hydrogen bond and proton-relay tautomerization) interactions contribute to the observed solvatochromism.

Spectroscopic determination of solvation shell composition of fluorenone and 4-hydroxyfluorenone in binary solvent mixtures.

Preferential solvation of fluorenone (9Fl) and 4-hydroxyfluorenone (4HOFl) in binary solvent mixtures (cyclohexane-tetrahydrofuran (CH-THF) and cyclohexane-ethanol (CH-EtOH)) has been studied using steady-state spectroscopic measurements. The solvation of the fluorenones, both in the ground and in the excited states, exhibits a non-linear solvatochromic shifts as a function of polar component in the binary solvent mixtures. The results of spectroscopic measurements were used to calculate, according to Bakhshievs and Kiselevs theory, the fluorescence spectra of solvates having different number of polar component in the first solvation shell. The different features of fluorescence spectra of molecule under study in CH-THF and CH-EtOH are explained by the absence and presence of specific solute-solvent interactions (hydrogen bond).

Experimental and theoretical studies of the influence of solvent polarity on the spectral properties of two push-pull oxazol-5-(4H)-one compounds

Spectral and photophysical properties of two derivatives of the 2-phenyl-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-ones were studied in 17 solvents of different polarity. These compounds have either push-pull non-centrosymmetric or C3-symmetric structures with electron-withdrawing groups (2-phenyl-oxazolone) introduced onto the triphenylamine. It has been found that their spectral and photophysical properties depend on the structure of the compounds and on the solvent polarity. The non-radiative relaxation process is facilitated by an increase of the solvent polarity. The changes in the electronic absorption and fluorescence maximum positions with solvent polarity were analyzed applying different solvent polarity parameters based on Lippert-Mataga, McRae, Bakhshiev and Kawski theories or ETN scale. The long-wavelength absorption band positions exhibit a slight dependence on the solvent, whereas the fluorescence spectra demonstrate substantial positive solvatochromism. It was found that the position of the electronic absorption band depends mainly on the solute polarizability (related to the solvent refraction index function f(n2)=(n2-1)/(2n2+1)), whereas the solvent polarity influences the position of the fluorescence band. Quantum chemical calculations of the transition energies and dipole moments at the DFT level have been also performed. The difference between the first excited and ground state dipole moments was found experimentally to be 10.8 D and 13.0 D according to Bakhshievs model. The experimental values of Δμ were compared to that one obtained from theoretical calculations for various solvents.

Spectroscopic studies of inclusion complexes of methyl-p-dimethylaminobenzoate and its ortho derivative with α- and β-cyclodextrins

The effects of α- and β-cyclodextrins (CDs) on the both emission modes (LE -locally excited and TICT -twisted intramolecular charge transfer) of the fluorescence spectrum of methyl-p-dimethylaminobenzoate (I) and its o-methoxy (II) derivative in aqueous solution have been investigated using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques. It is found that the intensity of both fluorescence bands increases with increasing concentration of α- and β-CD. The stoichiometries and equilibrium constants of the fluorophore-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been determined by steady-state fluorescence measurements. Performed spectroscopic studies demonstrate that in the case of I in α-CD and β-CD, both 1:1 and 1:2 inclusion complexes are formed, whereas only 1:1 inclusion complex is formed between II and β-CD.

Quantum-chemical calculations of the electronic structure of 2-amino-1,3-dicyano-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives

The UV-Visible absorption spectra of six, newly synthesized donor-substituted 2-amino-1,3-dicyano-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene have been measured in methylcyclohexane (MCH) and assigned with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. Our calculations have been performed to assess information regarding the electronic state energy values, corresponding oscillator strengths, x-, y-, z-components of the transition dipole moments and molecular orbitals involved in the main electronic transitions of the studied compounds. Additionally, the experimental absorption transition dipole moments were calculated, on the basis of spectroscopic data, and compared with results of our quantum-chemical calculations. On the basis of the experimental results and quantum-chemical calculations, it was shown that the long-wavelength absorption band involves an overlap of three electronic transitions of different character. For all studied donor-acceptor (D-A) compounds in vapour-phase, the long-wavelength transition (S0→S1) does not possess charge transfer character, whereas the S0→S2 transition possesses electron transfer character e.g., π-electrons of the acceptor moiety are moved to the donor part. Moreover, it is found that the electronic structure of the studied biphenyl derivatives can be approximately described within composite-model of decoupled moieties: donor and acceptor.

Effect of α- and β-cyclodextrins on the intramolecular charge transfer and intramolecular proton transfer fluorescence of methyl o-hydroxy p-dimethylaminobenzoate

The influence of α- and β-cyclodextrins on the spectral characteristics of methyl o-hydroxy p-dimethylaminobenzoate has been studied using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic technique. The stoichiometries and equilibrium constants of the solute molecule-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes have been determined by the steady-state fluorescence measurements. Nonlinear least-squares regression analysis indicates that both 1:1 and 1:2 inclusion complexes were formed between studied compound and α- and β-cyclodextrins. The contribution of the fluorophore in free, 1:1, and 1:2 complexes was calculated for a particular concentration of α- and β-CD. Additionally, the location of the fluorophore inside the cavity was reported, with regard to the intra- and intermolecular proton transfer and intramolecular charge transfer processes.

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Spectroscopic Properties of Chalcone Derivatives

Newly synthesized, differently substituted chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones) have been studied using steady-state and time-resolved techniques combined with quantum-chemical modelling. To explore spectroscopic structure - property relationships the substituent (acceptor moiety) was chosen according to systematic variation in the Hammett parameter. It was shown that photophysical properties of the studied donor-acceptor (D-A) molecules can be predicted in terms of a simple model from the properties of individual chromophores (composite-model of decoupled moieties: donor (D) and acceptor (A)). The results of spectroscopic measurements also indicate that for investigated D-A fluorophores in medium-polar solvent, the initially populated, locally excited (LE) state (where the fundamental role plays donor moiety (D*-A)) reacts further to produce intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state. Additionally, the experimental absorption (Mge) and fluorescence (Meg) transition dipole moments were calculated on the basis of spectroscopic data and compared with results of our quantum-chemical calculations. The absorption transition dipole moment was found to vary linearly with the Hammett substituent coefficient (σ).

Photophysical properties of amino- and dimethylamino salicylates in neat and binary solvent mixtures

The solvation characteristic of 2-methoxy-4-aminobenzoic acid methyl ester (MABAE) and 2- methoxy-4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid methyl ester (MDABAE) in the S0, S1(LE) and S1(ICT) states has been determined by means of solvatochromic shifts in neat and binary solvent mixtures. The multiple linear regression analysis of Kamlet et al. indicates that non-specific dielectric dipoledipole and specific hydrogen-bonding interactions play almost an equal role in defining the position of the absorption and fluorescence maxima. On the basis of the performed analysis of normalized solvatochromic shifts, it has been shown that both solutes are preferentially solvated. For cyclohexane-ethanol (CH-EtOH) binary mixtures the preferential solvation characteristics in the S0, S1(LE) and S1(ICT) states are determined predominantly by the hydrogen-bonding interactions. For both molecules under study the electric dipole moment in the S0, S1(LE) and S1(ICT) states as well as the outer-sphere solvent reorganization energy (λout), intramolecular reorganization energy (λin), and destabilization energy (Edest.) have been determined.

The trans/cis photoisomerization in hydrogen bonded complexes with stability controlled by substituent effects: 3-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)acrylate case study

The association of aminopyridine-based acrylic acid and its salt was studied by NMR titration experiments. The AA (acceptor, acceptor) hydrogen-bonding pattern present in the salt forms a complex readily with a DD (donor, donor) hydrogen-bonding pattern of the substituted ureas even in polar and competitive environment. The double carbon–carbon bond in the acrylic acid derivative is subjected to photoisomerization. This is dependent on the association with substituted urea derivatives. The substituent in ureas influences the trans/cis isomerization kinetics and position of the photostationary state. Two mechanisms that influence the photoisomerization were proposed. To the best of our knowledge, the trans/cis photoisomerization influenced by the substituent in such a hydrogen-bonding pattern has not observed previously. It was shown that interaction with urea derivatives causes lowering of the trans-to-cis photoreaction rates.

ElectronicExcitationEnergyTransferofProdan-ORBandLaurdan-ORB Systems in Model Phospholipid Membranes

Electronic energy transfer between prodan (6-propionyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene) and laurdan (6-dodecanoyl-2-dimethylaminonaphthalene) acting as donors and ORB (octadecyl rhodamine B) acting as acceptor in a model system of membranes has been studied by a steady-state fluorescence quenching analysis. Factors determining the energy transfer rate were considered with special attention to the contribution from the spectral heterogeneity of the donor molecules. By analyzing experimental data within the framework of two theoretical models (developed by Stern, Volmer, and Lehrer) of the energy transfer in two-dimensional systems, the limits of the range of possible prodan and laurdan positions with respect to a lipid bilayer have been estimated.