Stilbenes as Molecular Probes

A molecular probe is a group of atoms or molecules attached to other molecules or structures and used in studying the properties of these molecules and structures [1-7]. 

In this chapter, we concentrate on luminescence approaches that are most suitable for stilbenes to be molecular probes and are based on specific and nonspecific labeling, competition, solvatochromism, experimental molecular dynamics, and singlet-singlet and triplet-triplet energy transfer. A general survey is made of the physical principles and application of the fluorescence probe methods stressing on latest developments in this area. 

Stilbenes. Af licatiom in Otemistry, Life Sciences and Materials Science. Gertz Likhtenslitein Copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 978-3-527-32388-3 

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Photoinduced (E)-(Z) isomerization. The photoinduced (E)-(Z) isomerization of 5tzj -stilbenes (7) will be expected as novel chemomechanics such as molecular force probes and close-cycle storage of solar energy in the future. 

As was theoretically predicted by molecular computation and then experimentally verified, the trans-cis photoisomerization rate for the bound probe was found to be markedly inhibited, compared to that expected for the free probe in solution. The fluorescence-photochrome labeled probe was competitively displaced from the anti-TNP binding site in the presence of the picric acid hapten, and photoisomerization then commenced to produce the fluorescence-silent cis-stilbene diastereomer (Figure 10.14). The process of association and dissociation of a hapten-antibody complex was readily monitored by the fluorescence technique in the presence of both antibody-bound and free haptens. 

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