540 Chemie und zugeordnete Wissenschaften
Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (19)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (19)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Journal article (11)
- Doctoral Thesis (8)
Keywords
- fluorescence (19) (remove)
We report the direct imidization of naphthalene and perylene dicarboxylic anhydrides/esters with bulky ortho,ortho‐diaryl‐ and ortho,ortho‐dialkynylaniline derivatives. This imidization method uses n‐butyllithium as a strong base to increase the reactivity of bulky amine derivatives, proceeds under mild reaction conditions, requires only stoichiometric amounts of reactants and gives straightforward access to new sterically crowded rylene dicarboximides. Mechanistic investigations suggest an isoimide as intermediary product, which was converted to the corresponding imide upon addition of an aqueous base. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal dimeric packing motifs for monoimides, while two‐side shielded bisimides crystallize in isolated molecules without close π–π‐interactions. Spectroscopic investigations disclose the influence of the bulky substituents on the optical properties in the solid state.
Blending different low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) provides a convenient route to tune the properties of a gel and incorporate functionalities such as fluorescence. Blending a series of gelators having a common bis-urea motif, and functionalised with different amino acid-derived end-groups and differing length alkylene spacers is reported. Fluorescent gelators incorporating 1- and 2-pyrenyl moieties provide a probe of the mixed systems alongside structural and morphological data from powder diffraction and electron microscopy. Characterisation of the individual gelators reveals that although the expected α-urea tape motif is preserved, there is considerable variation in the gelation properties, molecular packing, fibre morphology and rheological behaviour. Mixing of the gelators revealed examples in which: 1) the gels formed separate, orthogonal networks maintaining their own packing and morphology, 2) the gels blended together into a single network, either adopting the packing and morphology of one gelator, or 3) a new structure not seen for either of the gelators individually was created. The strong binding of the urea functionalities to anions was exploited as a means of breaking down the gel structure, and the use of fluorescent gel blends provides new insights into anion-mediated gel dissolution.
Single crystals of three at bay area tetraphenoxy‐substituted perylene bisimide dyes are grown by vacuum sublimation. X‐ray analysis reveals the self‐assembly of these highly twisted perylene bisimides (PBIs) in the solid state via imide–imide hydrogen bonding into hydrogen‐bonded PBI chains. The crystallographic insights disclose that the conformation and sterical congestion imparted by the phenoxy substituents can be controlled by ortho‐substituents. Accordingly, whilst sterically less demanding methyl and isopropyl substituents afford double‐stranded PBI chains of complementary P and M atropo‐enantiomers, single hydrogen‐bonded chains of homochiral PBIs are observed for the sterically more demanding ortho‐phenyl substituents. Investigation of the absorption and fluorescence properties of microcrystals and thin films of these PBIs allow for an unambiguous interpretation of these exciton systems. Thus, the J‐aggregates of the double‐stranded crystals exhibit a much larger (negative) exciton coupling than the single‐stranded one, which in contrast has the higher solid‐state fluorescence quantum yield.
The cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP are two ubiquitous important second messengers, which regulate diverse physiological responses from vision and memory to blood pressure and thrombus formation. They act in cells via cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA and GK), cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and Epac. Although the concept of cyclic nucleotide signalling is well developed based on classical biochemical studies, these techniques have not allowed to analyze cAMP and cGMP in live cells with high temporal and spatial resolution. In the present study fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to develop a technique for visualization of cAMP and cGMP in live cells and in vitro by means of fluorescent biosensors. Ligand-induced conformational change in a single nucleotide-binding domain flanked with green fluorescent protein mutants was used for dynamic, highly sensitive measurements of cAMP and cGMP. Such biosensors retained binding properties and chemical specificity of unmodified domains, allowing to image cyclic nucleotides in a physiologically relevant range of concentrations. To develop cAMP-sensors, binding domains of PKA, Epac and cAMP-gated HCN-channel were used. cGMP-sensors were based on single domains of GK and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Sensors based on Epac were used to analyze spatio-temporal dynamics of cAMP in neurons and macrophages, demonstrating that cAMP-gradients travel with a high speed (~ 40 μm/s) throughout the entire cytosol. To understand the mechanisms of cAMP-compartmentation, kinetics properties of phosphodi-esterase (PDE2) were, next, analyzed in aldosterone producing cells. PDE2 is able to rapidly hydrolyze extensive amounts of cAMP, so that the speed of cAMP-hydrolysis is much faster than that of its synthesis, which might serve as a basis of compartmentation. cAMP-sensors were also used to develop a clinically relevant diagnostic method for reliable detection of β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies in cardiac myopathy patients, which has allowed to significantly increase the sensitivity of previously developed diagnostic approaches. Conformational change in a single binding domain of GK and PDE was, next, used to create novel fluorescent biosensors for cGMP. These sensors demonstrated high spatio-temporal resolution and were applied to analyze rapid dynamics of cGMP production by soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclases as well as to image cGMP in mesangial cells. In summary, highly sensitive biosensors for cAMP and cGMP based on single cyclic nucleotide-binding domains have been developed and used in various biological and clinically relevant applications.
Electroactive Conjugated Polymers as Charge-Transport Materials for Optoelectronic Thin-Film Devices
(2005)
In this work the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of a series of pi-conjugated organic polymers were studied. The polymers were deposited on platinum electrodes or ITO-coated glass substrates by potentiodynamic electro-polymerisation of the corresponding monomeric precursor molecules. The electro-chemical and photophysical properties of the triarylborane monomers were studied in detail in order to estimate possible influences on the behaviour of the corresponding polymer. The first part of this work aimed at the synthesis and investigation of conjugated donor–acceptor polymers which combine the prerequisites of an OLED within one material: the transport of positive and negative charges and the formation of emissive excited states. With the carbazole-substituted oxadiazoles 1–3 it was shown that on the one hand the carbazole functionality is suitable for enabling the electrochemical polymerisation of the monomers and on the other hand it facilitates reversible p-doping of the resultant polymers. Although n-doping of poly-1–poly-3 is possible due to the electron-deficient oxadiazole rings, it causes the continuous degradation of these electron-acceptor units. Interestingly, this process does not influence the capability of p-doping of the polymers. With respect to its electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties the behaviour of the borane polymer poly-4 is absolutely identical with that of the oxadiazole polymers. Moreover, the optical excitation of poly-4 in the solid state leads to the emission of blue-green light which suggests that this polymer might also possess electroluminescent properties. AFM-measurements of poly-4 films on ITO-coated glass substrates revealed, that the film thickness can be controlled to a certain extent by the number of polymerisation redox cycles. It was shown from the electrochemical and photophysical properties of the triarylboranes 4–6 that the pi–pi-interaction between boron and nitrogen atoms is comparably weak in these molecules. This leads to an unexpected ground-state polarisation with a partially positive boron atom and a partially negative nitrogen atom. Moreover, it was found that TAB 4 possesses a lower symmetry than D3 in solution and that excitation energy can be transferred amongst the three subchromophores of 4. By titration experiments it was also demonstrated that TAB 4 can reversibly bind fluoride ions and that the binding event significantly influences the optical absorption characteristics of the chromophore. It can be assumed, that the above mentioned properties, which have a profound influence on the photophysical behaviour of these triarylborane chromophores, also determine the behaviour of the corresponding polymer in a solid state environment. The aim of the second part of this work was the investigation of purely n-conducting materials based on electron-deficient borane and viologen polymers. The corresponding precursor molecules should be polymerised on platinum electrodes by reductive electropolymerisation. However, a reductive polymerisation was not possible for the borane monomer 19 which is thought to be due to a strong localisation of the unpaired electron on the central boron atom of the radical anion. An electropolymerisation of the cyano-substituted bispyridinio-compound 17 failed because of the poor quality of CN– as a leaving group. Thus, a synthesis of the analogous isomer 18 was developed, in which the cyano-substituents were exchanged by the better leaving group Cl–. The viologen polymer poly-18, which can be regarded as an electron-deficient iso-electronic analogue of poly(para-phenylene), was successfully deposited on a platinum electrode by reductive electropolymerisation of 18. Poly-18 can be reversibly n-doped at comparably low potentials; however, at higher potentials the polymer is overcharged and destroyed irreversibly. As the synthetic strategy for 18 allows the variation of both spacer unit and leaving group in the last two steps of the reaction sequence, a series of analogous compounds can be easily synthesised using this route.
The synthesis and characterization of laterally extended azabora[5]‐, ‐[6]‐ and ‐[7]helicenes, assembled from N‐heteroaromatic and dibenzo[g,p]chrysene building blocks is described. Formally, the π‐conjugated systems of the pristine azaborole helicenes were enlarged with a phenanthrene unit leading to compounds with large Stokes shifts, significantly enhanced luminescence quantum yields (Φ) and dissymmetry factors (g\(_{lum}\)). The beneficial effect on optical properties was also observed for helical elongation. The combined contributions of lateral and helical extensions resulted in a compound showing green emission with Φ of 0.31 and |g\(_{lum}\)| of 2.2×10\(^{−3}\), highest within the series of π‐extended azaborahelicenes and superior to emission intensity and chiroptical response of its non‐extended congener. This study shows that helical and lateral extensions of π‐conjugated systems are viable strategies to improve features of azaborole helicenes. In addition, single crystal X‐ray analysis of configurationally stable [6]‐ and ‐[7]helicenes was used to provide insight into their packing arrangements.
Es wurde ein Leitpartikeltyp mit hoher Fluoreszenz sowie einem Absorptionsbereich oberhalb von 600 nm evaluiert. Zur Anbindung der hochspezifisch wirkenden Antikörper wurde die Teilchenoberfläche mit Carboxylgruppen funktionalisiert. Die Darstellung dieser sphärischen, komplex aufgebauten erfolgte über eine nasschemische Synthese. Die synthetisierten Partikel besitzen eine hohe Fluoreszenzintensität, gutes Chromatographierverhalten und spezifische Beladbarkeit mit monoklonalen Antikörpern (z.B. Troponin T) auf einer mit Carboxylgruppen modifizierten Partikeloberfläche. Auf die Partikel mit dem favorisierten Fluorophor musste eine zusätzliche Silicathülle aufkondensiert werden, damit diese im Anschluss erfolgreich mit Antikörpern beladen werden konnte. Die erhaltenen partikulären Systeme wurden sowohl qualitativ als auch quantitativ charakterisiert. Die Fluoreszenzintensität dieser dotierten Kern-Schale-Partikel konnte soweit optimiert werden, dass sich klinisch relevante und noch höhere Sensitivitäten in Prüfteststreifen detektieren ließen. Weiterhin wurden neuartige Fluoralkylsilan und Fluorophor codotierte Silicat-Nanopartikel synthetisiert, die auf Anhieb eine gute untere Nachweisgrenze von Troponin erzielten. Durch UV-VIS- und Fluoreszenz-Untersuchungen sowie Konjugations- und Prüfteststreifen-Versuche konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Cokondensation des Fluoralkylsilans in einer Erhöhung von Absorption und Fluoreszenz der Partikel resultiert. Weitere Untersuchungen von zeigten, dass eine zusätzliche Oberflächenmodifizierung mit Fluoralkylsilan zu einer signifikanten Verschlechterung der Konjugationseigenschaften mit Antikörpern führt. Alternative Detekorreagenzien und -methoden wurden ebenfalls untersucht. So konnte der kationische Komplex Tris-(1,10-phenantrolin)ruthenium(II)-dichlorid erfolgreich in monodisperse Silicat-Partikel eingebaut werden. Aufgrund ihrer geringen Sauerstoffpermeabilität sind sie als impermeabler Referenzstandard in O2-Sensoren geeignet. Eine andere untersuchte Detektionsmethode basiert auf zeitaufgelöster Fluoreszenz (TRF). Hierbei werden hauptsächlich Lanthanoid-Komplexe eingesetzt. Am besten untersucht sind Europium-Komplexe, welche meistens Diketone als Liganden besitzen. Bislang konnten diese neutralen Komplexe jedoch nicht in polare Silicatpartikel-Matrizes eingebaut werden. Durch Einsatz von 3,3,3-Trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilan gelang es erstmalig, einen Europium(III)-tris-4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthoyl)-1,3-butandion-Komplex (Eu(TNB)3) in hydrophobierte Silicat-Nanopartikeln physikalisch einzubauen. TRF-Messungen zeigten Abklingzeiten von ca. 300 µs. In diesem bislang nicht verfügbaren Partikel-Typ konnten positive Eigenschaften von Latex- und Silicatpartikeln kombiniert werden. Auch einige Porphyrinkomplexe mit langen Fluoreszenzlebensdauern sind in Silicat-Nanopartikel eingebaut worden. Der neutrale Komplex 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin-Pd(II) konnte nur durch vorhergehende Silanisierung erfolgreich eingebunden werden. Die erhaltenen sphärischen Partikel weisen eine Größenverteilung von 200-300 nm auf. Ein weiteres, kationisches Porphyrin (5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-21,23H-porphyrin-Zn(II)) konnte ebenfalls erfolgreich in etwa 140 nm große Silicat-Nanopartikel blutungsstabil eingebaut werden.
Three different perfluoroalkylated borafluorenes (\(^{F}\)Bf) were prepared and their electronic and photophysical properties were investigated. The systems have four trifluoromethyl moieties on the borafluorene moiety as well as two trifluoromethyl groups at the ortho positions of their exo‐aryl moieties. They differ with regard to the para substituents on their exo‐aryl moieties, being a proton \(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf, \(^{F}\)Xyl: 2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), a trifluoromethyl group (\(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf, \(^{F}\)Mes: 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) or a dimethylamino group (p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf, p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl: 4‐(dimethylamino)‐2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl), respectively. All derivatives exhibit extraordinarily low reduction potentials, comparable to those of perylenediimides. The most electron‐deficient derivative \(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf was also chemically reduced and its radical anion isolated and characterized. Furthermore, all compounds exhibit very long fluorescent lifetimes of about 250 ns up to 1.6 μs; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this differ. The donor‐substituted derivative p‐NMe\(_{2}\)‐\(^{F}\)Xyl\(^{F}\)Bf exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) from a charge‐transfer (CT) state, whereas the \(^{F}\)Mes\(^{F}\)Bf and FXylFBf borafluorenes exhibit only weakly allowed locally excited (LE) transitions due to their symmetry and low transition‐dipole moments.
Up to three polychlorinated pyridyldiphenylmethyl radicals bridged by a triphenylamine carrying electron withdrawing (CN), neutral (Me), or donating (OMe) groups were synthesized and analogous radicals bridged by tris(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)borane were prepared for comparison. All compounds were as stable as common closed‐shell organic compounds and showed significant fluorescence upon excitation. Electronic, magnetic, absorption, and emission properties were examined in detail, and experimental results were interpreted using DFT calculations. Oxidation potentials, absorption and emission energies could be tuned depending on the electron density of the bridges. The triphenylamine bridges mediated intramolecular weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the radical spins, and the energy difference between the high spin and low spin states was determined by temperature dependent ESR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The fluorescent properties of all radicals were examined in detail and revealed no difference for high and low spin states which facilitates application of these dyes in two‐photon absorption spectroscopy and OLED devices.
Two types of helically chiral compounds bearing one and two boron atoms were synthesized by a modular approach. Formation of the helical scaffolds was executed by the introduction of boron to flexible biaryl and triaryl derived from small achiral building blocks. All‐ortho‐fused azabora[7]helicenes feature exceptional configurational stability, blue or green fluorescence with quantum yields (Φ\(_{fl}\)) of 18–24 % in solution, green or yellow solid‐state emission (Φ\(_{fl}\) up to 23 %), and strong chiroptical response with large dissymmetry factors of up to 1.12×10\(^{-2}\). Azabora[9]helicenes consisting of angularly and linearly fused rings are blue emitters exhibiting Φ\(_{fl}\) of up to 47 % in CH\(_{2}\)Cl\(_{2}\) and 25 % in the solid state. As revealed by the DFT calculations, their P–M interconversion pathway is more complex than that of H1. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis shows clear differences in the packing arrangement of methyl and phenyl derivatives. These molecules are proposed as primary structures of extended helices.
Neuartige Akzeptor-substituierte Fluoresenzsensoren wurden etabliert, die durch signifikante Rotverschiebung der Emissionsmaxima Analyten nachweisen und deren pH-Sensitivität über das Substitutionsmuster variierbar ist. Es wurde gezeigt, dass 2-Methoxyanthracenderivate eine duale Emission aufweisen, die in dieser Form noch nicht detektiert und untersucht worden ist. Desweiteren wurde ein neues Strukturelement für stark solvatochrome Proben etabliert, die als Fluoreszenzsensoren zur Detektion von Fluorid und Analyten mit hoher Akzeptornummer verwendet werden können. Außerdem konnte eine Fluoreszenzsonde als Leucht-Sensor zur selektiven, differenzierenden Detektion von Fluorid und Chlorid generiert werden.
Ziel der Dissertation „Oktapeptide als neue Organokatalysatoren zur Hydrolyse von Phosphaten und Estern“ war es neue Oktapeptide zu finden, die die Fähigkeit besitzen Phosphate und Ester zu Hydrolysieren. In der Natur ist bei den Katalysereaktionen die Sekundärstruktur von entscheidender Bedeutung. Aus diesem Grunde wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit zunächst ein Modellsystem entwickelt, mit dem gezeigt werden konnte, dass es möglich ist mit einfachen Bausteinen wie Diaminobutan und dem in der Gruppe von Schmuck entwickelten Guanidiniocarbonylpyrrol ein Molekül zu entwickeln, welches eine stabile intramolekulare Schleife in polaren Lösungsmitteln ausbildet. Aufgrund der geringen Größe des Moleküls, konnte kein β-Faltblatt gebildet werden. Dennoch konnte mit Hilfe der NMR-Spektroskopie gezeigt werden, dass in dem polaren Lösungsmittel Methanol eine stabile Schleifenbildung mit einer intramolekularen Komplexierung stattfindet. Nach erfolgreicher Synthese des oben beschriebenen Testsystems wurde als nächster Schritt eine kombinatorische Organokatalysatorbibliothek mit 625 Mitgliedern aufgebaut. Die Struktur der Peptide kann man in drei Teile untergliedern. Der erste Teil ist die feste Phase, das Amino-TentaGel, an das nacheinander die einzelnen Aminosäuren gekuppelt wurden. An Stelle der Butylgruppe als Schleifenelement wurde Aib-D-Pro als β-Turn Element eingesetzt. Den dritten Teil bilden die bei der Synthese der Oktapeptide eingesetzten Aminosäuren AA1, AA3, AA6, AA8, die ein β-Faltblatt ausbilden sollten. Die kombinatorische Synthese der Bibliothek erfolgte nach der „Split and Mix“ Methode. Zum Unterscheiden der einzelnen Mitglieder untereinander, wurde die feste Phase zusammen mit einem Radiofrequenzchip in IRORI MikroKans gegeben. Durch die unterschiedlichen Aminosäuren ist die Bibliothek für die Katalyse in polaren Lösungsmitteln wie Wasser konzipiert worden. Als exemplarische Katalysereaktionen wurden dabei zwei Hydrolysereaktionen (Phosphatspaltung und Esterspaltung) ausgesucht. Zunächst wurde für beide Reaktionen ein Screening mit unterschiedlichen Bedingungen durchgeführt. Dabei hat sich gezeigt, dass bei der Phosphatspaltung nur dann die Reaktion katalysiert wurde, wenn das künstliche Argininanalogon, welches in unserer Arbeitsgruppe synthetisiert wurde, vorhanden war. Der beste Katalysator hat die Reaktion 175-mal schneller katalysiert als die unkatalysierte Reaktion. Bei dem Screening der Esterspaltung hat sich herausgestellt, dass die Aminosäure Histidin essentiell für die katalytische Aktivität ist. Der beste Katalysator bei der Esterspaltung hat die Hydrolyse des Esters 345-mal schneller katalysiert als die unkatalysierte Reaktion. Bei beiden Reaktionen hat sich gezeigt, dass die Sequenz der Katalysatoren sehr wichtig für die Katalyse ist. So verringert z.B. bei der Esterhydrolyse der Austausch zweier Aminosäuren eine Verringerung der Aktivität von dem Faktor 294 auf den Beschleunigungsfaktor 35. Auch konnten beide Katalysereaktionen in wässrigem gepufferten Lösung durchgeführt werden. Damit ist es möglich gewesen neue Oktapeptide für die Katalyse von Phosphat- und Esterspaltung zu finden und diese erfolgreich im Screening als auch in Lösung zu untersuchen.
The 2- and 2,7- substituted para-N-methylpyridinium pyrene cations show high-affinity intercalation into ds-DNAs, whereas their non-methylated analogues interacted with ds-DNA/RNA only in the protonated form (at pH 5), but not at physiological conditions (pH 7). The fluorescence from non-methylated analogues was strongly dependent on the protonation of the pyridines; consequently, they act as fluorescence ratiometric probes for simultaneous detection of both ds-DNA and BSA at pH 5, relying on the ratio between intensities at 420 nm (BSA specific) and 520 nm (DNA specific), whereby exclusively ds-DNA sensing could be switched-off by adjustment to pH 7. Only methylated, permanently charged pyrenes show photoinduced cleavage of circular DNA, attributed to pyrene-mediated irradiation-induced production of singlet oxygen. Consequently, the moderate toxicity of these cations against human cell lines is strongly increased upon irradiation. Detailed studies revealed increased total ROS production in cells treated by the compounds studied, accompanied by cell swelling and augmentation of cellular complexity. The most photo-active 2-para-N-methylpyridinium pyrene showed significant localization at mitochondria, its photo-bioactivity likely due to mitochondrial DNA damage. Other derivatives were mostly non-selectively distributed between various cytoplasmic organelles, thus being less photoactive.
Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurden optische Eigenschaften von halbleitenden, einwandigen Kohlenstoffnanoröhren (SWNTs) der (6,5)-Chiralität untersucht. Dies gelang durch Ensemblemessungen aber vor allem durch den Aufbau eines Mikroskops zur Messung an einzelnen SWNTs. Dieses Einzel- SWNT-Mikroskop ermöglichte nebst „normaler“ Bildgebung durch Sammlung und Abbildung der nahinfraroten Photolumineszenz (PL) der (6,5)-SWNTs auch die spektral- und zeitaufgelöste Untersuchung der PL. Durch Verwendung von Dichtegradientenultrazentrifugation (DGU) zur chiralen Aufreinigung des SWNT-Rohmaterials konnten alle Messungen unter Minimierung des störenden Einflusses von Aggregaten oder SWNTs anderer Chiralität durchgeführt werden. Untersucht und bestimmt wurde der Absorptionsquerschnitt und die Exzitonengröße, die PL-Eigenschaften aggregierter SWNTs und der Einfluß der Permittivität auf die PL einzelner SWNTs.
The subject of this thesis is the synthesis and characterization of PBI-based fluorescent metallosupramolecular polymers and cyclic arrays. Terpyridine receptor functionalized PBIs of predesigned geometry have been used as building blocks to construct desired macromolecular structures through metal-ion-directed self-assembly. These metallosupramolecular architectures have been investigated by NMR, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and atomic force microscopy.
The main objective of this thesis was the design and synthesis of perylene bisimide dyes with sufficient water-solubility for the construction of self-assembled architectures in aqueous solutions. Beside these tasks another goal of this project was the control over the self-assembly process in terms of aggregate size and helicity, respectively. Within this thesis an appropriate synthesis for spermine-functionalized perylene bisimide dyes was developed and conducted successfully. The characterization of these building blocks and their course of self-assembly were investigated by NMR, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as by atomic force and transmission electron microscopy. For the better understanding of the experimental results theoretical calculations were performed.
The solvatochromic behavior of two donor-π bridge-acceptor (D-π-A) compounds based on the 2-(3-boryl-2-thienyl)thiazole π-linker and indandione acceptor moiety are investigated. DFT/TD-DFT calculations were performed in combination with steady-state absorption and emission measurements, along with electrochemical studies, to elucidate the effect of two different strongly electron-donating hydrazonyl units on the solvatochromic and fluorescence behavior of these compounds. The Lippert–Mataga equation was used to estimate the change in dipole moments (Δµ) between ground and excited states based on the measured spectroscopic properties in solvents of varying polarity with the data being supported by theoretical studies. The two asymmetrical D-π-A molecules feature strong solvatochromic shifts in fluorescence of up to ~4300 cm\(^{−1}\) and a concomitant change of the emission color from yellow to red. These changes were accompanied by an increase in Stokes shift to reach values as large as ~5700–5800 cm\(^{−1}\). Quantum yields of ca. 0.75 could be observed for the N,N-dimethylhydrazonyl derivative in nonpolar solvents, which gradually decreased along with increasing solvent polarity, as opposed to the consistently reduced values obtained for the N,N-diphenylhydrazonyl derivative of up to ca. 0.20 in nonpolar solvents. These two push–pull molecules are contrasted with a structurally similar acceptor-π bridge-acceptor (A-π-A) compound.
Two different chromophores, namely a dipolar and an octupolar system, were prepared and their linear and nonlinear optical properties as well as their bioimaging capabilities were compared. Both contain triphenylamine as the donor and a triarylborane as the acceptor, the latter modified with cationic trimethylammonio groups to provide solubility in aqueous media. The octupolar system exhibits a much higher two‐photon brightness, and also better cell viability and enhanced selectivity for lysosomes compared with the dipolar chromophore. Furthermore, both dyes were applied in two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) live‐cell imaging.
Novel dyes were prepared by simple “click CuAAC” attachment of a triarylborane–alkyne to the azide side chain of an amino acid yielding triarylborane dye 1 which was conjugated with pyrene (dye 2) forming a triarylborane–pyrene FRET pair. In contrast to previous cationic triarylboranes, the novel neutral dyes interact only with proteins, while their affinity to DNA/RNA is completely abolished. Both the reference triarylborane amino acid and triarylborane–pyrene conjugate bind to BSA and the hDPP III enzyme with high affinities, exhibiting a strong (up to 100-fold) fluorescence increase, whereby the triarylborane–pyrene conjugate additionally retained FRET upon binding to the protein. Furthermore, the triarylborane dyes, upon binding to the hDPP III enzyme, did not impair its enzymatic activity under a wide range of experimental conditions, thus being the first non-covalent fluorimetric markers for hDPP III, also applicable during enzymatic reactions with hDPP III substrates.