Napthol photoacids-carboxylic base pairs

An interesting question then arises as to why the dynamics of proton transfer for the benzophenone-i V, /V-dimethylaniline contact radical IP falls within the nonadiabatic regime while that for the napthol photoacids-carboxylic base pairs in water falls in the adiabatic regime given that both systems are intermolecular. For the benzophenone-A, A-dimethylaniline contact radical IP, the presumed structure of the complex is that of a 7t-stacked system that constrains the distance between the two heavy atoms involved in the proton transfer, C and O, to a distance of 3.3A (Scheme 2.10) [20]. Conversely, for the napthol photoacids-carboxylic base pairs no such constraints are imposed so that there can be close approach of the two heavy atoms. The distance associated with the crossover between nonadiabatic and adiabatic proton transfer has yet to be clearly defined and will be system specific. However, from model calculations, distances in excess of 2.5 A appear to lead to the realm of nonadiabatic proton transfer. Thus, a factor determining whether a bimolecular proton-transfer process falls within the adiabatic or nonadiabatic regimes lies in the rate expression Eq. (6) where 4>(R), the distribution function for molecular species with distance, and k(R), the rate constant as a function of distance, determine the mode of transfer. 

In recent years, there have been many significant advances in our models for the dynamics for proton transfer. However, only a limited number of experimental studies have served to probe the validity of these models for bimolecular systems. The proton-transfer process within the benzophenone-AL A -di methyl aniline contact radical IP appears to be the first molecular system that clearly illustrates non-adiabatic proton transfer at ambient temperatures in the condensed phase. The studies of Pines and Fleming on napthol photoacids-carboxylic base pairs appear to provide evidence for adiabatic proton transfer. Clearly, from an experimental perspective, the examination of the predictions of the various theoretical models is still in the very early stages of development. 

---