On the Spectral Behavior of an Ionic Styryl Dye: Effect of Micelle−Polyethylene-block-polyethylene Glycol Diblock Copolymer Assembly

Interfacial Structure and Electrostatics Related to Solute Activity in a Model Anionic-Surfactant/Polymer Self-Assembly

Polymer/surfactant composites are used in industry as an excipient for water-insoluble solutes. Such enhanced dissolution ability of composite media is related to the spontaneous formation of pre-micellar polymer surfactant aggregates (PS) at a magnitude of order lower than the surfactant critical micelle concentration in water. Combining electrochemical and spectroscopic studies, we investigate the microscopic interfacial structure (i.e., interface electrostatics and surface polarity) of PS formed in composite media. We establish that in a composite system, a mere change in the polymer concentration at a fixed surfactant concentration makes possible to regulate the counter-ion binding ability, surface potential, surface charge density, packing and surface polarity of the PS interface. Our study shows that the higher dissolution of water-insoluble nonionic solutes in composite media is driven by the depressing of surface charge density and polarity of the PS interface. A similar modulation of the PS interface acts as a barrier for the passive relocation of water-soluble charged solutes into the PS pseudo-phase. The time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy study allows us to underline the effect of surface charge modulation on the dynamical aspects of solutes at the PS interface.

Fine structural tuning of styryl-based dyes for fluorescence and CD-based sensing of various ds-DNA/RNA sequences

A set of styryl- and bis-styryl dyes, varying in length, aromatic surface, net positive charge and steric positioning or bulkiness of substituents, was tested for interactions with various ds-DNA or ds-RNA. Most of the compounds showed strong affinity toward ds-DNA/RNA, directly correlated to the synergistic contribution of the aromatic-conjugated surface and net positive charge. The volume or positioning of terminal aromatic substituents directly controlled the binding mode of the core structure, shifting between DNA/RNA groove binding or DNA/RNA intercalation. Consequently, upon binding to DNA/RNA the fluorimetric and induced CD (ICD) response varied for different compounds, for instance one derivative showed specific fluorescence increase with AT-DNA, while another derivative showed specific ICD response with AU-RNA. Preliminary screening on human tumour cell lines revealed an efficient cellular uptake for all dyes. Only mono-styryl-quinoline derivatives showed a strong antiproliferative activity combined with efficient fluorescent localisation, thus showing promising theragnostic potential, while other compounds were negligibly cytotoxic but still efficient fluorescent markers of cytoplasmic organelles.

Switching of emission of a styryl dye in cucurbit[7]uril: a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study

Intriguing colour change and change in fluorescence band of 2-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-1-methylpyridinium iodide from nonpolar to polar protic solvent, and also from molecular container cucurbit[7]uril environment to polar protic solvent has been reported here. This interesting colour change of this dye with respect to the medium makes this dye useful as a sensor. Change in spectral characteristics of DASPMI along with change of colour from orange to yellow with increasing polarity of medium is interpreted as due to negative solvatochromatism. Complexations of probe-cucurbit[7]uril (1:1 and 2:1) cause structural change of the probe molecule due to hydrogen bond interaction of cationic part of the dye with CO group of cucurbit[7]uril and the colour change of the solution ensued. On addition of sodium chloride to the inclusion complex the dye is released from cucurbit[7]uril interior with colour of the solution reverted back. Theoretical results show that one carbon atom in the styryl part containing the positive charge gets too close to a carbon atom of cucurbit[7]uril to cause a phenomenal increase of dipole moment by 10X.

Inclusion of push–pull N-methylpyridinium salts within surfactant hydrogels: is their excited state intramolecular charge transfer mediated by twisting?

By confining two push–pull N-methylpyridinium derivatives within the rigid domains of surfactant hydrogels, the twisted nature of their intramolecular charge transfer state (formed in water upon excitation) was unravelled.