The photophysics of 9,9‘-bianthryl (BA) were investigated by means
of fluorescence spectroscopy, nanosecond
transient-absorption spectroscopy, and semiempirical calculations.
Fluorescence spectra and lifetimes were
measured in more than 50 solvents in order to get a detailed picture of
the solvent dependence. The results
show that the fluorescence lifetime is constant in solvents of low
polarity (D < 5) and increases with solvent
polarity in more polar solvents. Departures from this trend can be
traced to specific solute−solvent interactions.
Excited-state singlet−singlet absorption spectra were measured
in the ultraviolet range and show a marked
solvent dependence. In polar solvents, the spectrum
(λmax = 315 nm) is closely related to those of the
radical
ions of both BA and anthracene. The decay rate constant of this
band is identical with that of the fluorescence
emission in a range of solvents of varying polarity (D >
5), thus providing direct proof of the charge-separated character of the fluorescent state in polar solvents. The
315 nm band is absent in isooctane, indicating
that the fluorescent state is not of charge-separated character in this
case. Semiempirical calculations were
carried out in order to rationalize the experimental data. Careful
consideration of the symmetry character of
the electronic states involved and of the solvent effect on these
states indicates that two distinct transitions
are responsible for the observed fluorescence emission; in nonpolar
solvents, a nonpolar state with D
2
symmetry
and a torsion angle that is markedly smaller than 90° is the
fluorescent state, whereas in polar solvents
fluorescence originates from a charge-separated perpendicular state of
D
2
d
symmetry. This
latter state is
responsible for the large solvent effects on fluorescence and
singlet−singlet absorption. Triplet−triplet
absorption and intersystem-crossing efficiency data were also measured
in several solvents. They too are
solvent-dependent but do not show characteristics of charge separation;
they rather are influenced by specific
solute−solvent interactions.
Abstract. The dependence of primary photophysical and photochemical processes, especially of electron photoejection, in phenol and related compounds in aqueous solution on excitation intensity and excitation energy is examined. Theoretical and experimental evidence is presented for the possibility of three pathways for electron ejection: (1) A monophotonic pathway via the fluorescent state, which most probably does not involve the lowest triplet state; (2) a monophotonic pathway requiring higher excitation energies, which takes place in competition with internal conversion to the fluorescent state; and (3) a consecutive biphotonic pathway in which the lowest triplet state absorbs the second photon, and which can become predominant at high intensities, e.g. under flash conditions. It is shown that this model reconciles apparently conflicting results published in the literature.
The effect of addition of the cyclodextrins (CDx) α-CDx and
β-CDx on the photophysics and photochemistry
of the dimethoxybenzenes (DMB) 1,4-DMB and 1,2-DMB in aqueous solution
has been investigated by
means of absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence, and nanosecond
transient absorption spectroscopies.
The experimental results are discussed in the light of model
calculations on the structure and the circular
dichroism spectra of the DMB−CDx complexes. The association of
1,2-DMB with both CDxs is much
weaker than that of 1,4-DMB owing to steric hindrance. With
β-CDx, 1,4-DMB forms 1:1 complexes with
a high association constant (K = 630
M-1) in spite of incomplete inclusion.
Complexation of 1,4-DMB with
α-CDx strongly affects the photophysical properties of the guest:
fluorescence is enhanced and triplet state
decay slowed by a factor of 10 or more, depending on the decay reaction
mode. Fluorescence enhancement
is mainly due to a reduction of the rate constant for internal
conversion. The effect of complexation on
triplet decay was exploited for a detailed study of the association
mechanism in terms of the consecutive
formation of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. Temperature-dependent
measurements showed that both association
steps are controlled by enthalpy−entropy compensation, the first step
being entropy-driven and the second
one enthalpy-driven. At lower temperatures (T < 50
°C), 1:2 complex formation predominates. These
findings
are supported by the circular dichroism spectra and the model
calculations. There is no significant effect of
complexation with either α- or β-CDx on hydrated electron ejection
from 1,4-DMB, but the eaq
- decay
is
accelerated in the presence of β-CDx. This is tentatively
attributed to spatial correlation between
eaq
- and
radical cations induced by complexation.
The photophysical properties of naphthalene were studied in aqueous solution (H2O and D2O), in some organic
solvents (ethanol, hexane, and acetonitrile), and in complexes with the cyclodextrins (CDs) α-CD and β-CD,
by means of absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, circular dichroism, and triplet−triplet
absorption spectroscopies. The structures of the CD inclusion complexes were computed using a dynamic
Monte Carlo method. The main difference of the photophysics in the pure aqueous with respect to the organic
media consists in a reduction of the fluorescence lifetime, τF, by a factor of about 2.5. Consideration of the
triplet properties in aqueous and organic media led to the conclusion that this effect is most probably due to
a corresponding increase of the intersystem crossing rate, induced by H2O or D2O. Inclusion of naphthalene
in the CD hosts has the effect, at high CD concentration (>0.01 M), of increasing τF with respect to the
aqueous medium, the value in α-CD being near to that in the organic media and the value in β-CD intermediate.
The spectral and kinetic data are consistent with the predominant formation of 1:2 host:guest complexes with
α-CD, and of 1:1 complexes with β-CD, although 2:2 complexes with β-CD are also formed and are identified
by their excimer like fluorescence. Several experimental results, including the values of τF, and the temperature
dependences of fluorescence and triplet−triplet absorption spectra on one hand and of triplet quenching and
triplet−triplet annihilation kinetics on the other, point to a considerable structural flexibility of the 1:2 complex
with α-CD.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.