Singlet Mechanism for Trans → Cis Photoisomerization of Quaternary Salts of 4-Substituted 4′-Azastilbenes (R = CN, H, CH3, and OCH3) and their Quinolinium Analogues. VIII

Abstract

The trans → cis photoisomerization of a series of substituted stilbazolium salts (At +X− , At +: trans-1-alkyl-4-[4-R-styryl]-pyridinium and -quinolinium, R = CN. H, CH3 and OCH3, X− = I and ClO4 −) was studied by laser flash photolysis and steady state irradiation measurements. The quantum yields of cis ⇄ trans photoisomerization (ϕc → t and ϕt → c ) and of fluorescence of the trans isomers (ϕf) were determined in several solvents at room temperature and at low temperatures in mixtures of either 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-dichloromethane or ethanolmethanol (E-M). In polar solvents at room temperature ϕt → c is substantial ( ≧ 0.3) and ϕf is small (10−3-10−2). Competition of fluorescence and an activated step in the trans → cis pathway is indicated by the effects of temperature on ϕf and ϕt → c (activation energy: 2 - 3 kcal/mol). A transient, observed only at low temperatures (lifetime τT > 0.5 ms in E-M below -170°C), is assigned to the lowest triplet state with trans configuration. On the basis of the effects of temperature on ϕf, ϕt → c , and the triplet yield and those of quenchers on ϕf and ϕt → c , involvement of the triplet state in the twisting process at room temperature is excluded. Therefore, a singlet mechanism is suggested for the trans → cis photoisomerization of the stilbazolium salts examined. Significant reduction of ϕt → c for iodides in solvents of moderate polarity, where ion pairs are present, is accounted for by photoinduced electron transfer in competition to trans → cis photoisomerization.