Excited state intramolecular proton transfer in amino 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives: Effects of the solvent and the amino group position

The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism in six amino 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives were investigated in different solvents by means of UV–vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence. The amino benzazoles are fluorescent in the blue-orange region under UV radiation. Changes in the absorption, emission and excitation spectra were analyzed and correlated to the position of the amino group and the solvent polarity. The equilibrium between the conformers in solution in the ground state, confirmed by the solvatochromic effect, reflects the dual fluorescence emission presented by these dyes.