UV absorption maxima of trimethylsilyl-, trimethylgermyl-, and trimethylstannyl-substituted pyrenes shifted to longer wavelength than that of unsubstituted pyrene. Absorption maxima of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pyrenes shifted to longer wavelength consecutively at intervals of 10 nm. Fluorescence intensities and lifetimes decreased in the order of Me3SiAr > Me3GeAr > Me3SnAr. Fluorescence intensity of 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pyrene was the largest among those of a series of pyrenes.

Effects of trimethylsilyl, trimethylgermyl, and trimethylstannyl substituents attached to fused aromatic hydrocarbons such as pyrene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were studied in terms of UV absorption and fluorescence properties in aerated cyclohexane solutions. Absorption maxima of trimethylsilyl-, trimethylgermyl-, and trimethylstannyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons shifted to longer wavelengths than those of unsubstituted ones. Absorption maxima of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pyrenes shifted to longer wavelength consecutively at intervals of 10 nm. Fluorescence intensities and fluorescence lifetimes of trimethylsilyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons were larger and longer than those of unsubstituted ones, and they decreased in the order of Me 3 SiAr [ Me 3 GeAr [ Me 3 SnAr. Fluorescence intensity of 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pyrene was largest among those of a series of mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)pyrenes under aerated conditions.