10.1021/j100346a099
The research investigates the photophysical properties of a merocyanine derivative, DCM-crown, where the dimethylamino group of DCM is replaced by a macrocycle (monoaza-15-crown-5) that acts as an electron-donating substituent. The study explores how complexation with alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal cations affects the absorption spectrum, fluorescence quantum yield, and stability constants of DCM-crown. Key chemicals involved in this research include DCM-crown itself, various alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal perchlorates (such as LiClO4, NaClO4, Ca(ClO4)2, Mg(ClO4)2, and Ba(ClO4)2), and acetonitrile as the solvent. The results show significant changes in absorption spectra and fluorescence properties upon complexation, with the effects being more pronounced for alkaline-earth-metal cations. The study provides insights into cation-steered intramolecular charge transfer and its potential applications in recognizing and measuring metal cations in solution.