Influence of H-bonds on the photoionization of aromatic chromophores in water: The aniline molecule

Abstract

We have conducted time-resolved experiments (pump–probe and pump–repump–probe) on a model aromatic chromophore, aniline, after excitation in water at 267 nm. In the initial spectra recorded, in addition to the absorption corresponding to the bright ππ* excitation, the fingerprint of a transient state with the electron located on the solvent molecule is identified. We postulate that the latter corresponds to the πσ* state along the N–H bond, whose complete relaxation with a ∼500 ps lifetime results in the formation of the fully solvated electron and cation. This ionization process occurs in parallel with the ππ* photophysical channel that yields the characteristic ∼1 ns fluorescence lifetime. The observed branched pathway is rationalized in terms of the different H-bonds that the water establishes with the amino group. The proposed mechanism could be common for aromatics in water containing N–H or O–H bonds and would allow the formation of separated charges after excitation at the threshold of their electronic absorptions.