Abstract
The charge transfer complex formations between indole derivatives and methylviologen were investigated spectroscopically. In aqueous solutions near room temperature, the order of complex stability was tryptamine < tryptophan < indole < indole acetate, which is the reverse order of the magnitude of molar absorptivities. This was interpreted as involvement of contact charge transfer. The decrease of enthalpy of complex formation (-${\Delta}$H) was highest in tryptamine, and lowest in indole acetate. ${\Delta}$H and entropy of complex formation (${Delta}$S) varied nearly in a linear fashion with isokinetic temperature $242^{\circ}$K. These results were attributed to the hydration-dehydration properties of the side chains in indole derivatives. Except indole acetate, the complex formations were greatly enhanced by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS). However, the direct relationship between the enhanced complex formation and SDS micelle formation was not found. The enhanced charge transfer interaction inSDS solutions was attributed to the increased ${\Delta}$S by interaction between methylviologen and SDS in premicellar level. The order of complex stability in SDS solutions was indole acetate < tryptophan < trypamine < indole, which reflects the hydrophobicity of indole derivatives as well as electrostatic interaction between indole derivatives and methylviologen associated with SDS.