Amphiphilic pyrenecarboxylic acids: incorporation into vesicle membrane and ability as sensitizer for electron transport reactions

The novel pyrenecarboxylic acids 1–3 having a single or double hydrophobic alkyl chain were synthesized, and their photophysical properties were investigated in solutions and vesicle membranes. In analogy with parent 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of 1–3 were changed with the H+ concentration. The amphiphilic pyrenecarboxylic acids 1–3 had good solubility in the vesicle membranes, and acted as an excellent sensitizer for the electron transport from an electron donor in the inner waterpool of the vesicle to an electron acceptor in the outer aqueous phase across vesicle membranes.