A Porphyrin Dye with Monoexponential Fluorescence Intensity and Anisotropy Decay Behavior in Spherical Micelles

Abstract

The size and the shape of micelles can be determined with a new fluorescence dye (see picture blue N, turquoise C, red O). The fluorescence lifetime of this new porphyrin derivative is about 10 ns, which is in the order of the rotation time of a micelle. The size of the dye (diameter ca. 37 Å) ensures that it perfectly fits into most micelles. It is the first fluorescent probe that reflects only the rotation of the micelles without the disturbing internal motions of the dye.