Photoisomerization mechanism and conformational equilibria of styrylnaphthalenes. A study based on photophysical properties and molecular-orbital calculations

Abstract
The photophysical properties of trans-1- and trans-2-styrylnaphthalene (1-StN and 2-StN) have been studied. The conformational isomers of 2-StN have been reinvestigated by measuring the solvent and temperature effects and by m.o. calculations (CNDO/S) on the nature of the lowest excited states. Fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes and kinetic parameters of decay have been obtained for the two conformers in n-hexane and ethanol. The energy difference between the two conformers and the activation energy for their transcis photoisomerization have been obtained from the temperature effect in both solvents. Evidence has been obtained for two photoisomerization mechanisms, a triplet mechanism predominant below room temperature and a singlet mechanism favoured in ethanol and/or at higher temperatures.

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