On the Fluorescence Quenching of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Nitromethane

Abstract

Abstract Fluorescence quenching of 22 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by nitromethane in toluene and acetonitrile solutions has been studied. Contrary to Sawicki’s observations that the fluorescence of hydrocarbons with the fluoranthene skeleton is not quenched that of 11.12-and 3.4-benzofluor-anthene and fluoranthene itself is quenched. These compounds have a high energy of the fluorescence transition. The fluorescence quenching of the compounds investigated follows a dynamic quenching mechanism. The bimolecular rate constant of fluorescence quenching increases exponentially with the energy of the fluorescing state of alternant hydrocarbons.