Date of Award

6-1995

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Chemistry

Language

English

Abstract

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclical oligosaccarides which exist as 6, 7, or 8 glucopyranose units joined by α-1,4 linkages, referred to as α, β, and γ CDs, respectively. Their structure resembles that of a truncated cone in which the interior cavity is hydrophobic while the exterior remains hydrophilic. This allows CDs to form inclusion complexes with nonpolar molecules in an aqueous environment. Polymerization of CDs (CDPs) has been carried out using epichlorohydrin which connects the CD cavities by an average of 12-15 repeating glyceryl linker units. The binding of various fluorescence probes to CD monomers has been studied. In particular, pyrene (Py), which is very sensitive to the polarity of its microenvironment, has been widely used to study the binding site of the CDs. Py fluorescence emission spectra have a I/III band ratio which reflects the polarity of the Py surroundings when bound to CDs. These data, along with fluorescence lifetime data on bound Py, suggest that Py binds in the hydrophobic CD cavity. Moreover, in the presence of a fluorescence quencher, iodide ion, the CD cavity acts to protect the Py. This protection is further enhanced by the addition of additives such as alcohol.

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