DUAL EMISSION AND DOUBLE PROTON-TRANSFER IN SALICYLIC-ACID

The photophysics of salicylic acid (SA) monomer and dimer has been studied by using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. Dilute solution in alkanes emits at 450 nm, which as in methyl salicylate is due to intramolecular proton transfer. In concentrated solutions and in solid state, the SA dimer shows two emissions, at 370 nm and 450 nm, with some unusual behaviour in both the steady state and the time domain fluorescence. The concept of double proton transfer and the tunneling mechanism in the excited state can rationalize the observed photophysical behaviour.