The effect of deuteriation on the emission lifetime of inorganic compounds

The application of deuteriation of both ligands and solvents on the photoph ysical properties of transition metal complexes in solution and glassy matr ices is reviewed. The reduction in amplitude and frequency of vibrational m odes due to deuterium's increased mass, relative to hydrogen, has a signifi cant effect on non-radiative deactivation processes, which can occur throug h both intra- and inter-molecular vibrational coupling. The effect of deute riation on excited state lifetimes has allowed for its application in probi ng the nature of excited state decay processes. The effects of isotopic exc hange on vibrational spectroscopies such as resonance Raman and low tempera ture high-resolution emission spectroscopies are also addressed briefly. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.