Abstract
A new class of organic molecular probes (1-3) based on a 1,3-disubstituted diethynylbenzene core has been developed. Both 1 and 2 (with the esters of 1 replaced by diethylamides in 2) show good linear and three-photon induced photophysical properties with two-photon absorption cross-sections (185-210 cm4sphoton-1molecule-1) that are suitable for biological applications in live specimens. The propeller π-conjugated systems of 3 (a C3 analogue of 1) shows threefold enhancement for the two-photon absorption cross-section (650 cm4sphoton -1molecule-1). Solvatochromism was observed in the fluorescence spectra of all these molecular probes; in acidic medium (pH = 4-5) their fluorescence emissions are slightly blueshifted with a threefold enhancement in intensity relative to those observed under basic conditions (pH = 10-11). In the fluorometric titration study against a variety of bioactive small molecules, only 2 shows strong binding affinity (log KB > 7) towards citrates and bicarbonates with approximately 30 nm redshift. The in vitro emission spectra of 2 obtained show the same emission upon addition of anions to the solution. The results of these studies could provide new molecular-design strategies for two-photo absorption (TPA) chromophores and new materials for two/multi-photon imaging in vitro. A new class of organic molecular probes has been developed, and the cell-permeable properties were improved dramatically by introducing diethylamide moieties. Only 2 shows strong emission enhancement uponbinding with citrates and bicarbonates. The emission spectra of 2 obtained in vitro show the same emission with citrate and hydrogencarbonate.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5054-5060 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European Journal of Organic Chemistry |
Issue number | 26 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2011 |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
User-Defined Keywords
- Anions
- Fluorescent probes
- Imaging agents
- Luminescence
- Photochemistry