Abstract
Tri-l-aminopyrenetrichlororhodium (III) (APR), a new rhodium-aminopyrene complex with potential as a fluorescent DNA probe, has been synthesized. Fluorescence studies were done using steady-state fluorescence and nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence lifetime studies. This complex has a relatively long fluorescence lifetime in methanol. The lifetimes vary from 4 to 6 nanoseconds (ns) with various solvents and pHs. The lifetime variation and frequency-domain characteristics of the complex are explored in terms of the perturbation of the l-aminopyrene electronic structure caused by complexation to a metal. The complex has been found to be promising as a DNA probe because of its water solubility, "long" fluorescent lifetime, and potential for binding site selectivity.