Characterization of Triplet State of Cyanine Dyes with Two Chromophores Effect of Molecule Structure

Abstract

Quantum yields (φT) and energies (ET) of the first triplet state T1 for four molecules of cyanine dyes with two chromophores (BCDs), promising photoactive compounds for various applications, for example, as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and fluorescence diagnostics (FD), were studied in 1-propanol solutions by steady-state and time-resolved optical absorption techniques. BCDs differ by the structure of the central heterocycle, connecting the chromophores. The heterocycle structure is responsible for electron tunneling between chromophores, for which efficiency can be characterized by splitting of the BCD triplet energy levels. It was shown that the increase in the tunneling efficiency reduces ET values and increases φT values. This aspect is very promising for the synthesis of new effective photosensitizers based on cyanine dyes with two interacting chromophores for various applications, including photodynamic therapy.

Keywords

• bichromophoric cyanine dyes
• triplet state quantum yield
• triplet state energy
• electron tunneling
• central heterocycle structure
• photodynamic therapy