Photolysis of 6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-8-nitro-1,2-dihydroquinoline. Unusual dependence on the irradiation wavelength

Abstract

The spectral and kinetic parameters of transient species generated in the irradiation of 6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-8-nitro-1,2-dihydroquinoline were examined by stationary and pulse photolysis in the solvents: heptane, acetonitrile, methanol, and ethanol. Upon excitation of the long-wavelength absorption band (λex > 450 nm), a reversible photochemical reaction was revealed, and the spectral and kinetic parameters of three transient species observed in the photolysis were characterized (λmax = 390, 400, and 420 nm (acetonitrile), k = 97, 500, and 2000 s−1, respectively). The absorption spectra and the rate constants of the decay of transient species are almost independent of the medium polarity and the presence of oxygen in the system. The excited state generated during irradiation to the short-wavelength absorption band (290 < λex < 350 nm) is inactive in the photochemical reaction and deactivates without the formation of transient species. The mechanism of the reversible photochemical reaction is suggested, which involves the opening of the heterocycle N-C bond upon photoexcitation of the long-wavelength absorption band and the thermal back reaction.