Photochemistry and photophysics of triarylmethane dye leuconitriles

The photochemical reactions of crystal violet leuconitrile (CVCN) were inve stigated by the means of product analysis and trapping experiments, laser f lash and steady-state photolysis, and steady state fluorescence. The influe nce of oxygen on the reaction was examined in detail. The photochemistry of malachite green leuconitrile (MGCN), basic fuchsin leuconitrile (BFCN), an d crystal violet leucomethyl (CVMe) and leucobenzyl (CVBn), as well as trip henylacetonitrile, was studied. The results suggest ionization occurs from S-1, while the di-pi -methane reaction is the photochemical route from T-1.