Synthesis, Characterization, and Luminescence Properties of Anthrylpolyamines: An Experiment for an Integrated, Advanced Laboratory Course

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 2 Issue 4 (1997), S1430-4171(97)04131-6

Synthesis, Characterization, and Luminescence Properties of Anthrylpolyamines: An Experiment for an Integrated, Advanced Laboratory Course

Brian W. Pfennig,¹* Terry L. Newirth², and Scott A. Van Arman³

¹Department of Chemistry, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
²Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041
³Department of Chemistry, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604

Published online: 3 October 1997

Abstract. A 10-week, open-ended experiment for a junior/ senior-level integrated laboratory course is described. The project involves the synthesis and instrumental characterization of two monosubstituted and two disubstituted anthrylpolyamines of varying lengths, as well as a detailed investigation of their photophysical and photochemical properties in the presence of polyanions of biological interest. Depending on the nature of the polyanion, emission quenching of the anthracene chromophore occurs by a template-directed excimer formation, or by an energy-transfer process. A correlation between the charge of the protonated anthrylpolyamines and the degree of emission quenching is also investigated. This project is ideally suited for introducing students to different quenching mechanisms within the context of a research-oriented, integrated laboratory experience.

Key Words: Laboratories and Demonstrations; anthracene; polyamine; luminescence; emission; quenching; excimer; energy transfer

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: brpfennig@vassar.edu)

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