Femto- and picosecond fluorescence experiments are reported for 5,5'-d
imethyl-[2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol. It is discussed that the probe mol
ecule in the photo-excited state undergoes single and double intramole
cular proton transfer. From a study of the dynamics of the proton tran
sfer processes information concerning the role of vibrational modes as
sisting in the intramolecular proton transfer is obtained. (C) 1998 El
sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.