Nucleobase-specific quenching of fluorescent dyes. 1. nucleobase one-electron redox potentials and their correlation with static and dynamic quenching efficiencies

TLDR: In this paper, the feasibility of photoinduced electron transfer reaction for the nucleobase-specific quenching of fluorescent dyes is investigated by the calculation of the standard free energy changes with the Rehm−Weller equation.

Abstract: Intermolecular static and dynamic fluorescence quenching constants of eight coumarin derivatives by nucleobase derivatives have been determined in aqueous media. One common sequence of the quenching efficiency has been found for the nucleobases. The feasibility of a photoinduced electron transfer reaction for the nucleobase-specific quenching of fluorescent dyes is investigated by the calculation of the standard free energy changes with the Rehm−Weller equation. A complete set of one-electron redox potential data for the nucleobases are determined electrochemically in aprotic solvents for the first time, which are compared with values obtained by various other methods. Depending on the redox properties of the fluorescent dyes, the sequences of the quenching efficiencies can be rationalized by the orders of electrochemical oxidation potentials (vs NHE) of nucleosides (dG (+1.47 V) < dA < dC ≈ dT < U (≥ +2.39 V)) and reduction potentials (dG (< −2.76 V) < dA < dC < dT < U (−2.07 V)). The correlation between...