Exciplex formation with distyrylbenzene derivatives and N,N-dimethylaniline

Exciplex formation between N,N-dimethylaniline and a series of distyrylbenz ene derivatives with varying structures was studied by cyclic voltammetry a nd fluorescence spectroscopy. The frequency of exciplex emission obeys the Weller equation. Increasing the electron affinity of the acceptor red-shift s emission, with a concomitant decrease in fluorescence efficiency. Increas ing the conjugation length of the acceptor decreases its excited state sing let energy more quickly than its electron affinity. As a result, exciplex f ormation is discouraged with increasing conjugation length. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.