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Ultrafast Dynamics of a “Super” Photobase
Author(s) -
Sheng Wei,
Nairat Muath,
Pawlaczyk Patrick D.,
Mroczka Elizabeth,
Farris Benjamin,
Pines Ehud,
Geiger James H.,
Borhan Babak,
Dantus Marcos
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201806787
Subject(s) - photoexcitation , excited state , chemistry , photochemistry , conjugated system , intermolecular force , ultrafast laser spectroscopy , reactivity (psychology) , proton , schiff base , spectroscopy , molecule , crystallography , organic chemistry , atomic physics , alternative medicine , quantum mechanics , pathology , polymer , medicine , physics
Molecular reactivity can change dramatically with the absorption of a photon due to the difference of the electronic configurations between the excited and ground states. Here we report on the discovery of a modular system (Schiff base formed from an aldehyde and an amine) that upon photoexcitation yields a more basic imine capable of intermolecular proton transfer from protic solvents. Ultrafast dynamics of the excited state conjugated Schiff base reveals the pathway for proton transfer, culminating in a 14‐unit increase in p K a to give the excited state p K a * >20 in ethanol.