Dye synthesis in the Pechmann reaction: catalytic behaviour of samarium oxide nanoparticles studied using single molecule fluorescence microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Photochemically prepared samarium oxide nanoparticles (Sm₂O₃NP) efficiently catalyze the formation of coumarin 153 via the Pechmann trans-esterification and condensation process. The formation of the fluorescent coumarin allowed the catalytic process to be monitored in real time at the single molecule level using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM). Benchtop experiments conducted in parallel demonstrated that the observed catalysis occurred in solution rather than by pure heterogeneous catalysis and is due to a mobile population of small Sm₂O₃NP released from a polydisperse original sample containing larger particles. TIRFM provided unique insights by demonstrating that catalysis by these smaller colloidal particles i

SUBMITTER: Hodgson GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5975723 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature