title: Hydrophilic molecular rotor derivatives-synthesis and characterization.
abstract: Recent research shows high potential for some p-N,N-dialkylaminobenzylidenecyanoacetates, part of a group known as fluorescent molecular rotors, to serve as fluorescent, non-mechanical viscosity sensors. Of particular interest are molecules compatible with aqueous environments. In this study, we present the synthesis and physical characterization of derivatives from 9-(2-carboxy-2-cyanovinyl)-julolidine and related molecules. All compounds show a power-law relationship of fluorescence emission with the viscosity of the solvent, different mixtures of ethylene glycol and glycerol to modulate viscosity. Compounds with high water solubility exhibit the same behavior in aqueous solutions of dextran, where the dextran concentration was varied to modulate viscosity. In addition, some compounds have been found to have low sensitivity towards changes in the pH in the physiological range. The compounds presented show promise to be used in biofluids, such as blood plasma or lymphatic fluid, to rapidly and non-mechanically determine viscosity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA. HaidekkerM@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Haidekker
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Sevag H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chalian
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Akers
authors.forename: Darcy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lichlyter
authors.forename: Emmanuel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Theodorakis
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008722:Methods; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D009570:Nitriles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents; D055672:Static Electricity; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D015335:Molecular Probes; D009570:Nitriles; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water