5-[4-(Dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-benzamidopyrazines: fluorescent dyes based on Cypridina oxyluciferin

Abstract

To clarify the acyl substitution effect on the fluorescent property of Cypridina oxyluciferin analogs, which have the 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl group at C5, we compared the spectroscopic properties of benzamide 1b and its 2,6-dimethylphenyl derivative 1c in various solvents with those of acetamide 1a. Similarity of the fluorescence wavelengths of 1a–c indicates that the π-electronic conjugation in the excited singlet (S₁) state is terminated at the acyl group and that the benzamide moiety in 1b has little effect on modulating the florescence color. The similar fluorescence solvatochromism of 1a–c reveals that their S₁ states have a similar intramolecular charge transfer character. The fact that 1a–c have various fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes depending on solvent polarity and hydrogen bonding interactions in solutions provides information about the decay processes competing with the fluorescence process in the S₁ states. Among 1a–c, benzamide 1b exhibits the most sensitive variation of the fluorescence intensity depending on the solvent used. Similarity of the fluorescence spectra of 1a–c adsorbed in NaY zeolites was also observed, which indicates that the S₁ states of 1a–c give mobile conformers in the NaY supercages. The relationship between the molecular structures of 1a–c and their spectroscopic properties will provide a guide for designing a new fluorophore based on Cypridina oxyluciferin.

Graphical Abstract