Acidity constants ground state

Fitting results for fs DFWM experiments of the formic acid dimer (ground state) rotational constants, CD constants, parametrized polarizability parameter cp, Ray s asymmetry parameter k and temperature T. ... 

Proton dissociation in the excited states commonly occurs much easier than in the ground states, and the great difference in proton dissociation constants by several orders of magnitude is characteristic for photoacids [47]. These dyes exist as neutral molecules and their excited-state deprotonation with the rate faster than the emission results in new red-shifted bands in emission spectra [48]. Such properties can be explored in the same manner as the ground-state deprotonation with the shift of observed spectral effect to more acidic pH values. 

Let us consider the possible events following excitation of an acid AH that is stronger in the excited state than in the ground state (pK < pK). In the simplest case, where there is no geminate proton recombination, the processes are presented in Scheme 4.6, where t0 and Tq are the excited-state lifetimes of the acidic (AH ) and basic (A- ) forms, respectively, and ki and k i are the rate constants for deprotonation and reprotonation, respectively, kj is a pseudo-first order rate constant, whereas k i is a second-order rate constant. The excited-state equilibrium constant is K = k /k 7 ... 

Conventional absorptiometric and fluorimetric pH indicators show a shift of band positions in absorption and emission spectra between the protonated and deprotonated forms. This feature allows the spectroscopic measurement of the acid dissociation constant in the ground state, Ka, and also the evaluation of the dissociation constant in the excited state, Ka (Eq. (5.5)), from the Forster cycle under the assumption of equivalent entropies of reaction in the two states.<109 112)... 

As a final comment there is the question whether the cation observed with LFP is the same as the one produced in a ground-state reaction. With nanosecond LFP, the time interval from excitation to observation is likely sufficient to ensure that this is the case. Two pieces of evidence can be cited. (1) There is a good correspondence of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra for the transient cations with ones obtained for solutions of ground-state cations under strongly acidic solutions. (2) Ratios of rate constant obtained directly by LFP agree with selectivities measured for the ground-state reactions. Diffusional separation of ion pairs is complete within 1-10 ns, so that a transient cation observed with nanosecond LFP is a free ion. At shorter times, that is, in picosecond LFP, ion pairs can be observed and their dynamics studied. ... 

Triplet state acidities, pKj, have been obtained by Porter and his school from phosphorescence studies, using flash photolysis techniques. The singlet, triplet and ground state acidity constants of some organic molecules are given in Table 4.2. 

Singlet, triplet and ground state acidity constants of some organic molecules... 

Singlet excited state acid dissociation constants pK can be smaller or greater than the ground state constant pK by as much as 8 units. Phenols, thiols and aromatic amines are stronger acids upon excitation, whereas carboxylic acids, aldehydes and ketones with lowest >(71, ) states become much more basic. Triplet state constants pKr are closer to those for the ground state. Forster s cycle may be used to determine A pK =pK —pK) from fluorescence measurements if proton transfer occurs within the lifetime of the excited molecule. 

One of the most characteristic types of ground-state reaction for alkenes is electrophilic addition, often involving a proton acid as addend or catalyst. In the excited state similar reactions can occur, with water, alcohols or carboxylic acids as commonly encountered addends. However, there is a variety of photochemical mechanisms according to the conditions or substrate used. In a few instances it is proposed that the electronically excited state is attacked directly by a proton from aqueous acid, for example when styrenes are converted to l-arylethanols (2.47 the rate constant for such attack is estimated to be eleven to fourteen orders of magnitude greater than that for attack on the ground state, and the orientation of addition is that expected on the basis of relativecarbonium ion stabilities (Markowni-kov addition). 

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