On the electronic structure of exciplexes in α-(1- OR 2-naphthyl)-ω-N,N-dialkylaminoalkanes

Proton-coupled charge-transfer reactions and photoacidity of N,N-dimethyl-3-arylpropan-1-ammonium chloride salts

Excited-state, intermolecular proton-transfers of aromatics tethered to ammonium groups are solvent mediated and coupled to either the formation of an exciplex or a solvent-separated ion pair.

Detection of nucleic acids in situ: novel oligonucleotide analogues for target-assembled DNA-mounted exciplexes

This research describes the effects of structural variation and medium effects for the novel split-oligonucleotide (tandem) probe systems for exciplex-based fluorescence detection of DNA. In this approach the detection system is split at a molecular level into signal-silent components, which must be assembled correctly into a specific 3-dimensional structure to ensure close proximity of the exciplex partners and the consequent exciplex fluorescence emission on excitation. The model system consists of two 8-mer oligonucleotides, complementary to adjacent sites of a 16-mer DNA target. Each probe oligonucleotide is equipped with functions able to form an exciplex on correct, contiguous hybridization. This study investigates the influence of a number of structural aspects (i.e. chemical structure and composition of exciplex partners, length and structure of linker groups, locations of exciplex partner attachment, as well as effects of media) on the performance of DNA-mounted exciplex systems. The extremely rigorous structural demands for exciplex formation and emission required careful structural design of linkers and partners for exciplex formation, which are here described. Certain organic solvents (especially trifluoroethanol) specifically favour emission of the DNA-mounted exciplexes, probably the net result of the particular duplex structure and specific solvation of the exciplex partners. The exciplexes formed emitted at approximately 480 nm with large Stokes shifts ( approximately 130-140 nm). Comparative studies with pyrene excimer systems were also carried out.

Exciplex fluorescence emission from simple organic intramolecular constructs in non-polar and highly polar media as model systems for DNA-assembled exciplex detectors

Organic intramolecular exciplexes, N-(4-dimethylaminobenzyl)-N-(1-pyrenemethyl)amine (1) and N'-4-dimethylaminonaphthyl-N-(1-pyrenemethyl)amine (2), were used as model systems to reveal major factors affecting their exciplex fluorescence, and thus lay the basis for developing emissive target-assembled exciplexes for DNA-mounted systems in solution. These models with an aromatic pyrenyl hydrocarbon moiety as an electron acceptor appropriately connected to an aromatic dimethylamino electron donor component (N,N-dimethylaminophenyl or N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl) showed strong intramolecular exciplex emission in both non-polar and highly polar solvents. The effect of dielectric constant on the maximum wavelength for exciplex emission was studied, and emission was observed for 1 and 2 over the full range of solvent from non-polar hydrocarbons up to N-methylformamide with a dielectric constant of 182. Quantum yields were determined for these intramolecular exciplexes in a range of solvents relative to that for Hoechst 33,258. Conformational analysis of 1 was performed both computationally and via qualitative 2D NMR using (1)H-NOESY experiments. The results obtained indicated the contribution of pre-folded conformation(s) to the ground state of 1 conducive to exciplex emission. This research provides the initial background for design of self-assembled, DNA-mounted exciplexes and underpins further development of exciplex-based hybridisation bioassays.

Analysis of the effects of protic, aprotic, and multi-component solvents on the fluorescence emission of naphthalene and its exciplex with triethylamine

The emission spectra of naphthalene (NP)-triethylamine (TEA) systems were measured under steady-state illumination conditions in some protic and aprotic solvent-tetrahydrofuran (THF) mixtures. The fluorescence spectrum of the NP-TEA system in THF could be separated into two component bands (band A at 329 nm (fluorescence of NP) and band B at 468 nm (emission from an intermolecular exciplex)). The intensities of bands A and B decreased with increasing solvent polarity. The intensity of band B also decreased owing to the hydrogen-bonding interaction between TEA and protic solvents, but in this case the intensity of band A increased. The decrease in the intensity of band A with increasing solvent polarity is considered to be caused by the enhanced formation of an ion-pair parallel to the formation of an exciplex with increasing solvent polarity. The decrease in the intensity of band B is considered to be caused by the enhanced formation of ion-pair both parallel to and through the formation of the exciplex. The increase in the intensity of band A and the decrease in that of band B upon the addition of protic solvents is caused by the decrease in the concentration of free TEA. Acetonitrile only has a polar effect and trichloroacetic acid only has a hydrogen-bonding (protonation) effect, while alcohols have both the effects.