Dynamics of intramolecular processes in electronic-excited states of 2,4,5-triarylimidazole molecules

Intramolecular processes in electronic-excited states of 2,4,5-triarylimidazole molecules were studied by femtosecond laser spectroscopy. Experiments were carried out with two types of compounds, namely, those experiencing intramolecular proton transfer and two model compounds in which it is impossible. Schemes of the processes studied were proposed and the characteristic rate constants were determined. The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in the molecules with planar structure of the reaction center is a very fast process (100 fs). If the reaction center has a nonplanar structure and, hence, the intramolecular hydrogen bond is weakened, the ESIPT time is determined by the time of conformational rearrangement of the molecule.