Fluorescence behavior of intramolecular charge transfer state in trans-ethyl p-(dimethylamino)cinamate

Steady-state and time-resolved emission studies have been performed to investigate the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) behavior of trans-ethyl p-(dimethylamino)cinamate (EDAC) in various solvents. Large fluorescence spectral shift in more polar solvents indicates an efficient charge transfer from the donor site to the acceptor moiety in the excited state compared to the ground state. The excited state properties in hydrogen-bonding solvents are markedly different from other solvents indicating the possible competition of intermolecular hydrogen bond formation with the electron donor site and ICT.