Synthesis, characterization and film formation of modified riboflavin

Riboflavin (RBF) is not naturally imbued with an amphiphilic character. To impart amphiphilicity the hydroxyl groups of the ribose moiety have been esterified using stearic acid. The compound thus modified, 2′,3′,4′,5′ -tetrastearoyl riboflavin (SRBF), has been characterized using optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR and cyclic voltammetry. Thin films of SRBF have been deposited on ITO glass using the LB technique. These films exhibit fluorescence properties which are similar to RBF in solution. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the molecules are organized in a highly ordered fashion.