Charge transfer complexing in the course of triplet state quenching of carbocyanine dyes by nitroxyl radical

Abstract

Quenching of triplet states of carbocyanine dyes by nitroxyl radical has been investigated by the flash photolysis method. Quenching of triplet state carbocyanine dyes with one polymethyne chain occurs via enhanced intersystem crossing on exchange interaction with the radical. Quenching of triplet state carbocyanine dyes with two polymethyne chains occurs via partial charge transfer in the collision complex with the radical. In the second case, an increase in the dielectric constant of the solvent leads to an increase of the rate of quenching. In high polarity solvents (propanol, methanol) complete electron transfer from dye triplet state to radical occurs. Kinetic and spectral characteristics of a new dye radical (Dye. +) are reported.