Solvatochromism

Solvatochromism is the term used to describe the phenomenon that is observed when the colour due to a solute is different when that solute is dissolved in different solvents.[1][2]

Reichardt's dye dissolved in different solvents

The solvatochromic effect refers to the way the spectrum of a substance (the solute) varies when the substance is dissolved in a variety of solvents. In this context, the dielectric constant and hydrogen bonding capacity are the most important properties of the solvent. With various solvents there is a different effect on the electronic ground state and excited state of the solute, so that the size of energy gap between them changes as the solvent changes. This is reflected in the absorption or emission spectrum of the solute as differences in the position, intensity, and shape of the spectroscopic bands. When the spectroscopic band occurs in the visible part of the spectrum solvatochromism is observed as a change of colour. This is illustrated by Reichardt's dye, as shown at the right.

Negative solvatochromism corresponds to a hypsochromic shift (or blue shift) with increasing solvent polarity. An examples of negative solvatochromism is provided by
4-(4′-hydroxystyryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide, which is red in 1-propanol, orange in methanol, and yellow in water.

Positive solvatochromism corresponds to a bathochromic shift (or red shift) with increasing solvent polarity. An example of positive solvatochromism is provided by 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)fuchsone, which is orange in toluene, red in acetone.

The main value of the concept of solvatochromism is the context it provides to predict colors of solutions. Solvatochromism can in principle be used in sensors and in molecular electronics for construction of molecular switches. Solvatochromic dyes are used to measure solvent parameters, which can be used to explain solubility phenomena and predict suitable solvents for particular uses.

Solvatochromism is the predominant process used in detecting explosives by a new technique using carbon nanotubes; the light frequency emitted by the solvatochromic coating of nanotubes changes when exposed to explosive particles, allowing for sensitive and easy detection.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Marini, Alberto; Muñoz-Losa, Aurora; Biancardi, Alessandro; Mennucci, Benedetta (2010). "What is Solvatochromism?". J. Phys. Chem. B. 114 (51): 17128–17135. doi:10.1021/jp1097487.
  2. ↑ Reichardt, Christian; Welton, Thomas (2010). Solvents and solvent effects in organic chemistry (4th, updated and enl. ed.). Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH. p. 360. ISBN 9783527324736.
  3. ↑ Heller, Daniel A.; Pratt, George W.; Zhang, Jingqing; Nair, Nitish; Hansborough, Adam J.; Boghossian, Ardemis A.; Reuel, Nigel F.; Barone, Paul W.; Strano, Michael S. (2011). "Peptide secondary structure modulates single-walled carbon nanotube fluorescence as a chaperone sensor for nitroaromatics". PNAS. 108 (21): 8544–8549. doi:10.1073/pnas.1005512108.
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