Sensitized and heavy atom induced production of acenaphthylene triplet: a laser flash photolysis study

Abstract

The triplet state of acenaphthylene has been examined by nanosecond laser flash photolysis using sensitization and heavy atom perturbation techniques. Although acenaphthylene does not form any observable triplet upon direct flash excitation, a transient with microsecond lifetime ({lambda}{sub max}=315 nm) is observable when a solution of the sample is excited by sensitizers (benzophenone, thioxanthone, benzil). This transient is ascribed to the triplet of acenaphthylene on the basis of its quenching behavior toward oxygen, ferrocene, azulene, and {beta}-carotene. Quantitative data concerning the triplet-triplet absorption and quenching constants are presented. The triplet energy is estimated to lie between 46 and 47 kcal/mol. The triplet can also be produced by direct excitation in solvents containing heavy atoms (ethyl bromide, ethyl iodide). The triplet yield is found to increase with an increase of the amount of the heavy atom containing solvent. No saturation limit is obtained. These facts together with the effect of heavy atoms on the T{sub 1} {yields} S{sub 0} process allow the differing behavior of ethyl bromide and ethyl iodide on the photodimerization process of acenaphthylene to be explained. Triplet-state parameters (extinction coefficient and triplet yield) have been estimated in these solvents by the energy-transfer technique and actinometry.