Dimerization of xanthene dyes in water: Experimental studies and molecular dynamic simulations

1-D and 2-D NMR experiments and molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the dimerization process of two laser dyes namely Rodamine 6G and Pyronine 6G in water. Two possible stacked dimer structures have been evidenced, and the agreement between experimental and theoretical results is very good. The role of dispersive and electrostatic forces in the dimerization mechanism is discussed. This analysis allows us to suggest some chemical modifications on xanthene dyes to prevent such dimerization. On this basis, a new synthesized rhodamine is described which does not exhibit any dimerization phenomenon in a large range of concentrations.