Proton-transfer mediated quenching of pyrene/indole charge-transfer states in isooctane solutions

J Phys Chem A. 2008 Jan 31;112(4):589-93. doi: 10.1021/jp076294t. Epub 2008 Jan 5.

Abstract

The fluorescence quenching of pyrene (Py) by a series of N-methyl and N-H substituted indoles was studied in isooctane at 298 K. The fluorescence quenching rate constants were evaluated by mean of steady-state and time-resolved measurements. In all cases, the quenching process involves a charge-transfer (CT) mechanism. The I(o)/I and tau(o)/tau Stern-Volmer plots obtained for the N-H indoles show a very unusual upward deviation with increasing concentration of the quenchers. This behavior is attributed to the self-quenching of the CT intermediates by the free indoles in solution. The efficiency of quenching of the polyaromatic by the N-H indoles increases abruptly in the presence of small amount of added pyridine (or propanol). A detailed analysis of the experimental data obtained in the presence of pyridine provides unambiguous evidence that the self-quenching process involves proton transfer from the CT states to indoles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescence
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Octanes / chemistry*
  • Protons
  • Pyrenes / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Octanes
  • Protons
  • Pyrenes
  • Solutions
  • indole
  • pyrene
  • 2,2,4-trimethylpentane