Deactivation of the S2 and Two Lowest Triplet States of 4H-1-Benzopyran-4-thione and Its Alkyl Derivatives in Methanol Solution

Spectral and photochemical properties of three aromatic thioketones, 4H-1-benzopyran-4-thione and its two alkyl derivatives, in their second excited singlet and two lowest triplet states have been a subject of stationary and time-resolved studies. Quantum yields of emissions from the above-mentioned states as well as lifetimes of these states have been measured. The results indicate an important role of intermolecular solvent-induced processes in deactivation of the excited states of the thioketones studied. The possible mechanism of these processes involves hydrogen atom abstraction and/or formation of exciplex. For relatively high thione concentrations, the contribution of self-quenching in deactivation of the triplet states becomes significant. The effect of the alkyl chain in a thione molecule on deactivation parameters is discussed.