Intramolecular photoassociation and photoinduced charge transfer in bridged diaryl compounds. 2. Charge transfer interactions in the lowest excited singlet state of dinaphthylamines

The formation of an intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) exciplex is demonstrated for 1,1{prime}-dinaphthylamine (1,1{prime}-DNA) and 2,2{prime}-dinaphthylamine (2,2{prime}-DNA) in the lowest excited singlet state using steady-state and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The exciplex is formed through a mutual reorientation of the two naphthalene rings. Differences in the rate of formation and relaxation of the CT state for 1,1{prime}-DNA and 2,2{prime}-DNA indicate the importance of the bridge position in this process. The comparison of the steady-state fluorescence of 2,2{prime}-DNA with that of its protonated form, as well as the fluorescence of 2,2{prime}-dinaphthyl ether and 2,2{prime}-dinaphthylmethane, show the role of the lone-pair electrons of the nitrogen atom in the exciplex formation. 18 refs., 20 figs., 5 tabs.