Experimental determination of the <i>S</i>1 torsional potential of 9,9′-bianthryl in 2-methyl-butane by simultaneous Franck–Condon and band shape analysis of temperature dependent optical fluorescence spectra

Abstract

Optical fluorescence spectra of anthracene (AN) and of 9,9′-bianthryl (BA) have been measured in the apolar solvent 2-methyl-butane (2MB) at seven different temperatures in the range 123 K to 298 K. The AN spectra are strongly structured and consist of simple Franck–Condon (FC) progressions. The BA spectra on the other hand are broad and show unusual temperature dependencies. These effects are interpreted within a two state model with five vibrational and one torsional degree of freedom. A FC analysis is carried out using vibronic band shape functions which are convolutions of two functions. The first one is a Gaussian representing the spectral broadening due to librations and intermolecular interactions. The second one results from a semiclassical treatment of the intramolecular torsional mode (large amplitude motion, LAM). Optical transitions are assumed to occur from ensembles which are thermally equilibrated with respect to their nuclear degrees of freedom. The Boltzmann distribution with respect to the LAM potentials in combination with a change of the transition frequency as a function of the torsional angle φ is identified as the predominant broadening mechanism. The LAM potentials in the S0 and S1 state are represented by a three parameter cosine series. A nonlinear least-squares fit of the experimental spectra leads to a single consistent set of model parameters valid for all temperatures. The S1 double minimum LAM potential of BA in 2MB is found to have minima at φeq=62° (and 118°) and a local barrier at φ=90° of 255 cm−1.