Synthesis and spectrophotometric studies of charge transfer complexes of p-nitroaniline with benzoic acid in different polar solvents

The charge transfer complexes of the donor p-nitroaniline (PNA) with the π-acceptor benzoic acid (BEA) have been studied spectrophotometrically in various solvents such as acetone, ethanol, and methanol at room temperature using an absorption spectrophotometer. The outcome suggests that the formation of the CT-complex is comparatively high in less polar solvent. The stoichiometry of the CT-complex was found to be 1:1. The physical parameters of the CT-complex were evaluated by the Benesi–Hildebrand equation. The data are discussed in terms of the formation constant (KCT), molar extinction coefficient (ɛCT), Standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG0), oscillator strength (f), transition dipole moment (μEN), resonance energy (RN) and ionization potential (ID). The formation constant (KCT) of the complex was depends upon the nature of electron acceptor, donor, and polarity of solvents used. It is also observed that a charge transfer molecular complex is stabilized by hydrogen bonding. The formation of the complex has been confirmed by UV–visible, FT-IR, 1H NMR and TGA/DTA. The structure of the CT-complex is [(PNA)+ (BEA)−]. A general mechanism for its formation of the complex has also been proposed.