Intermolecular [pi]-Electron Perturbations Generate Extrinsic Visible Contributions to Eumelanin Black Chromophore in Model Polymers with Interrupted Interring Conjugation

• Published in: Photochemistry and photobiology Vol. 89; no. 2; p. 314
• Main Authors: Ascione, Laura, Pezzella, Alessandro, Ambrogi, Veronica, Carfagna, Cosimo, d'Ischia, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Biopolymers; Electrons; Molecular chemistry; Photochemistry; Pigments; Polyvinyl alcohol

The key structural factors underlying the unique black chromophore of eumelanin biopolymers have so far defied elucidation. Capitalizing on the ability of 1% polyvinylalcohol (PVA) to prevent pigment precipitation during melanogenesis in vitro, we have investigated the visible chromophore properties...