Micelles as Containers for Self-Assembled Nanodevices: A Fluorescent Sensor for Lipophilicity

Potentiometric titrations, fluorescence versus pH titrations, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence polarization anisotropy studies demonstrate that inside the nanodimensioned Triton X‐100 micelles, 1‐pyrenecarboxylic acid, PCOO−, forms an apical complex with the Zn2+ cation encircled by a lipophilic cyclen ligand and hugely increasing its fluorescence. The ability of the Zn2+‐cyclen‐PCOO− complex plus its micellar container to act as a fluorescent sensor to evaluate the lipophilicity of molecular species is demonstrated on the fatty acid series CH3(CH2)xCOOH (x=0–16). At pH 7.4 a decrease in fluorescence is observed on the addition of fatty acids that is directly related to their chain length, that is, to their tendency to enter the micellar containers, where they dislocate PCOO− from the Zn2+ centre. The independent determination of fatty acid pKa values in the presence of Triton X‐100 micelles confirms that our fluorescent micellar device is capable of sensing their lipophilicity. Sensors included: The interaction of 1‐pyrenecarboxylate with the Zn2+ complex of a lipophilized cyclen is dramatically promoted by micellar inclusion, which results in a strong increase in fluorescence (see picture). The system works as a self‐assembled nanodevice capable of sensing the lipophilicity of added molecules, which is reported by means of fluorescence variation.