Photophysical study of the Schiff bases of 5'-deoxypyridoxal and n-hexylamine in cationic micelles.

The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the Schiff bases formed between 5'-deoxypyridoxal and n-hexylamine in aqueous media containing different concentrations of the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide were recorded at 25 degrees C. The quantum yields of fluorescence of the different zwitterionic and enol forms of the chemical species of the Schiff bases occurring in media of pH 4.5-8.5 were determined. Also, the fluorescence quenching resulting from the presence of the surfactant and that of iodide ion were analyzed. From the results obtained it follows that the zwitterionic forms do not interact with the cationic surfactant, whereas the enol forms do interact with it.