Spectral and photochemical properties of hydroxylated 2-styrylquinoline derivatives

Abstract

The spectral and photochemical properties of 2-(4-hydroxystyryl)quinoline 1 and 2-(2-hydroxystyryl)quinoline 2 have been studied. The trans-cis photoisomerization quantum yield for 1 and 2 in the neutral form is 0.2–0.5, and it is reduced by a factor of 6–7 by protonation, presumably, owing to the competitive process of hydroxyl group deprotonation in the excited state and the formation of quinoid tautomers. The quantum yield of the back cis-trans photoisomerization in the protonated form varies insignificantly. The neutral, protonated, and deprotonated forms of 1 have been used for to simulate a molecular logic gate, the half-adder with chemical inputs and absorbance as outputs.