Dynamics of excited-state proton transfer systems via time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

We investigate the applicability of time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and internal conversion dynamics in the model system o-hydroxybenzaldehyde (OHBA) and related compounds. Photoelectron spectra of both the excited state enol and keto tautomers were obtained as a function of pump laser wavelength and pump-probe time delay. The ESIPT was found to occur in less than 50 fs over the whole absorption range of the $S_1{\mathrm{(\pi \pi }}^{*})$ state for both OHBA and its monodeuterated analog, suggestive of a small or nonexistent barrier. The subsequent keto internal conversion rate in OHBA varies from 0.63 to 0.17 ps⁻¹ over the $S_1{\mathrm{(\pi \pi }}^{*})$ absorption band and the OD-deuterated analog shows no significant isotope effect. Based upon ab initio calculations and comparison with the two-ring analog, 1-hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone (HAN), we suggest that the internal conversion dynamics in OHBA is influenced by interactions with a close-lying ${\mathrm{n\pi }}^{*}$ state.