Spectral-luminescent and solvatochromic properties of anticancer drug camptothecin

The spectral characteristics of camptothecin have been investigated in solvents of various polarity and proton donating ability. The effect of the solvent on the spectral characteristics and the dipole moment in the excited state have been estimated. Different theoretical approaches have been compared in order to estimate the excited-state dipole moment. It has been shown that camptothecin’s emission is very sensitive to quenching with Co2+ ions.