CONVENIENT AND SIMPLE METHODS FOR THE OBSERVATION OF PHOSPHORESCENCE IN FLUID SOLUTIONS. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL HEAVY ATOM AND MICELLAR EFFECTS

Abstract— Phosphorescence of organic molecules in fluid solutions may be conveniently and readily observed under certain conditions. If k _p (radiative phosphorescence rate constant) is 10s^-1, then (in the absence of photoreaction) phosphorescence is observable upon N₂ purging. For example, nitrogen purged, acetonitrile solutions of bromo and dibromonaphthalene display readily observable phosphorescence as a result of internal heavy atom enhancement of π_S, and k _p. External heavy atom enhancement of k, (CH₂BrCH₂Br solvent) of aromatic hydrocarbons even allows observation of phosphorescence from these compounds in N₂ purged fluid solutions. Although bromonaphthalenes are not significantly phosphorescent in N₂ purged aqueous solution, phosphorescence is readily observed in N₂ purged detergent (HDTBr, HDTCl, and SDS) solutions above the critical micelle concentration. The general factors which determine whether phosphorescence is "readily" obervable in fluid solution are briefly discussed and the results are interpreted in light of these factors.