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The effect of addition of alcohols on the photophysical properties and the photoreactions of N-methylphthalimide (1), N-methyl-1,8-, -2,3-, and -1,2-naphthalimide (2-4), and N-methyl-9,10-phenanthrenedicarboximide (5) has been investigated. The UV and IR spectra of aromatic imides 1-5 showed the presence of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl group of the aromatic imides and the alcohols in less polar solvents. The equilibrium constants K for the hydrogen bonding were determined by the UV spectra. The fluorescence intensities of 2 and 1 were found to be remarkably and moderately enhanced by the addition of alcohols, respectively, though those of 3-5 were little enhanced by the addition of alcohols. On the other hand, photochemical cyclobutane formation of 2 with styrene (6) was found to be enhanced by the addition of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol in benzene. Enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yields Phi(f) and the photoreaction of 2 by the hydrogen bond formation was explained by the decrease of the efficiency of the intersystem crossing from (1)(pi pi*) to (3)(n pi*), whose energy was increased by the hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: The UV and IR spectra of N-methyl-1,8-naphthalimide in benzene showed a two-step consecutive complexation (hydrogen bond formation) with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The equilibrium constant K 1 for the first complexation in benzene was determined from the UV spectrum to be 48 M−1. The fluorescence intensities of the imide in benzene were found to be remarkably enhanced by the addition of TFA. Furthermore, photochemical cyclobutane formation of the imide with styrene in benzene was enhanced by the addition of TFA. Enhancement of the fluorescence intensity and the photoreaction of the imide by complexation with TFA was explained by a decrease of the efficiency of the intersystem crossing from 1(ππ∗) to 3(nπ∗), that results from an increase in the energy of the 3(nπ∗) level due to the complexation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]