Fluorescence of 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-6-propionylnaphthalene dyes Badan and Prodan is quenched by tryptophan in Brij 58 micelles as well as in two cytochrome P450 proteins (CYP102, CYP119) with Badan covalently attached to a cysteine residue. Formation of nonemissive complexes between a dye molecule and tryptophan accounts for about 76% of the fluorescence intensity quenching in micelles, the rest is due to diffusive encounters. In the absence of tryptophan, fluorescence of Badan-labeled cytochromes decays with triexponential kinetics characterized by lifetimes of about 100 ps, 700–800 ps, and 3 ns. Site mutation of a histidine residue in the vicinity of the Badan label by tryptophan results in shortening of all three decay lifetimes. The relative amplitude of the fastest component increases at the expense of the two slower ones. The average quenching rate constants are 4.5 × 108 s–1 (CYP102) and 3.7 × 108 s–1 (CYP119), at 288 K. Cyclic voltammetry of Prodan in MeCN shows a reversible reduction peak at −1.85 V vs NHE that becomes chemically irreversible and shifts positively upon addition of water. A quasireversible reduction at −0.88 V was observed in an aqueous buffer (pH 7.3). The excited-state reduction potential of Prodan (and Badan) is estimated to vary from about +0.6 V (vs NHE) in polar aprotic media (MeCN) to approximately +1.6 V in water. Tryptophan quenching of Badan/Prodan fluorescence in CYPs and Brij 58 micelles is exergonic by ≤0.5 V and involves tryptophan oxidation by excited Badan/Prodan, coupled with a fast reaction between the reduced dye and water. Photoreduction is a new quenching mechanism for 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)-6-propionylnaphthalene dyes that are often used as solvatochromic polarity probes, FRET donors and acceptors, as well as reporters of solvation dynamics.

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The decomposition of flavonols quercetin and fisetin, flavone luteolin and flavanone taxifolin was studied in slightly alkaline solution under ambient conditions. The study was based on spectrophotometry and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Products formed by atmospheric oxygen oxidation and hydrolysis were identified by HPLC–DAD and HPLC–ESI-MS/MS. Only small differences in the chemical structure of flavonoids resulted in extremely variable oxidation pathways and products. Oxidation of flavonols led to the formation of both a benzofuranone derivative and several open structures. On the contrary, the benzofuranone derivative was not found as a product of taxifolin and luteolin oxidative decomposition. These compounds were oxidized to their hydroxylated derivatives and typical open structures. Quercetin was not identified as a possible oxidation product of taxifolin

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Catecholase like biomimetic catalysts: two dinuclear copper complexes [Cu2(L1)(OH)(H2O)(EtOH)][ClO4]2 (C1) and [Cu2Ac2O(L1)ClO4] (C2) with 2,6-bis(4-methyl piperazin-1-yl-methyl)-4-formyl-phenoxy ligand (L1) together with mononuclear complex Cu(ClO4)2(L2) (C3) containing ligand 1,2-(C5H4N-6-OCH3-2-CH=N)2CH2CH2 (L2) were synthesized....