Absorption spectra of 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane in micellar solutions

The absorption spectra of 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) with n onionic surfactant, Triton X-100, anionic surfactant, SLS and cationic surf actant, CTAB in aqueous and nonaqueous media have been studied. The spectra l studies show that TCNQ forms 1:1 charge-transfer (CT) complex with Triton X-100 in both media. The aqueous solution of TCNQ shows an absorption maxi ma at 610 run. which is unperturbed in the presence of SLS but is shifted t o 650 nm in the presence of CTAB. indicating the interaction of TCNQ with t he cationic surfactant and not with the anionic surfactant. In addition to this, the stability of TCNQ-Triton X-100 complex has been determined and th e probable site or CT interaction has been pointed out. (C) 2001 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.