Excited-state proton-transfer dynamics of 1-methyl-6-hydroxyquinolinium embedded in a solid matrix of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Abstract

The excited-state intrinsic proton transfer and its geminate recombination, as well as the ground-state equilibria, of 1-methyl-6-hydroxyquinolinium embedded in a solid matrix of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) have been studied by measuring time-resolved and steady-state fluorescence spectra along with absorption and excitation spectra. Proton transfer takes place within 3.3 ns to form ion pairs while its back-reaction occurs on the time scale of 3.7 ns. The ion pairs in the rigid alcoholic matrix go through neither diffusion to form free ions nor subsequent electronic rearrangement to form the keto species within their excited-state lifetimes.