Fluorescence quenching by charge transfer interaction. Exciplexes of fluorene and hetero-analogues with electron donors and acceptors

The fluorescence quenching of fluorene, dibenzofuran and dibenzothiophen by aliphatic amines (electron donors) and aromatic nitriles (electron acceptors) has been studied in different solvents. Emission spectra, solvent effects and the observed relationship between the quenching rate constants and ionization potentials of the donors or reduction potentials of the acceptors support an electron-transfer mechanism with exciplex formation. Carbazole does not enter in this scheme and is probably quenched via a different mechanism.