Photoinduced processes in bis(diethylaminobenzylidene)cyclohexanone and its bis(aza-18-crown-6)-containing analogue in acetonitrile

Abstract

Photoinduced processes in bis(diethylaminobenzylidene)cyclohexanone (CH1) and its bis(aza-18-crown-6) derivative (CH2) in acetonitrile at ambient temperature and 77 K have been studied. The absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence spectra of CH1 and CH2 are similar. The probability of the formation of the triplet state is higher for CH2 molecules (λ_T-T^max = 660 nm, lifetime τ_T ~ 20 μs). The lifetime of the CH1 molecule in the triplet state is estimated at τ_T ~ 2–3 μs. Photoisomers of CH1 and CH2 are formed along with the triplet state. According to DFT calculation results, the formation of trans–cis photoisomers of CH1 and CH2 is the most energetically favorable.