Control of Intermolecular Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Deoxyadenosine‐Based Fluorescent Probes

International audienceIn this paper, we report on the Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) reaction between a donor (adenine analog) and an acceptor (3-methoxychromone derivative) in the context of designing efficient fluorescent probes as DNA sensors. Firstly, Gibbs energy was investigated in disconnected donor-acceptor systems by Rehm-Weller equation. The oxidation potential of the adenine derivative was responsible for exergonicity of the PET reaction in separated combinations. Then, the PET reaction in donor-π-acceptor conjugates was investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, acid-mediated PET inhibition and transient absorption techniques. In conjugated systems, PET is a favorable pathway of fluorescent quenching when an electron-rich adenine analog (d7A) was connected to the fluorophore (3MC). We found that formation of ground-state complexes even at nM concentration range dominated the dye photophysics and generated poorly emissive species likely through intermolecular PET from d7A to 3MC. On the other hand, solution acidification disrupts complexation and turns on dye emission. Bridging an electron-poor adenine analog with high oxidation potential (8d7A) to 3MC presenting low reduction potential is another alternative to prevent complex formation and produce highly emissive monomer conjugates