Complex formation in the indolo[2,3-b]quinolines--methylene blue systems in aqueous solutions.

Changes in the absorption spectra of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solutions containing an indoloquinoline can be described by assuming complex formation between MB and the indolinoquinoline. At the low concentration range of the two reactants a simple 1:1 complex stoichiometry was postulated on the basis of the Benesi-Hildebrand, Scott and Scatchard linearization of spectroscopic data and augmented by the formation of an isosbestic point. The estimated association constants were correlated with the ab initio calculated electronic properties of indolo[2,3-b]quinolines.