LUMINESCENCE OF PORPHYRINS - RELEVANCE TO ELECTRON-TRANSFER PROCESSES

The distribution of zinc porphyrin (ZnTPP) and derivatives in reversed micelles of benzyldimethyl n-hexadecyl ammonium chloride (BHDC) depends on the water content and size of the water pool. Steady-state and transient state fluorescence methods enable the establishment of two spectroscopically distinct molecular species. Analysis of fluorescence decay times and time-resolved emission spectra at different delays support the existence of a dynamic equilibrium between two species in the picosecond time range. Quenching phenomena observed in this system depend on the location of both quencher and the fluorescence probe and is consistent with the distribution of zinc porphyrin at the interface and in the bulk (organic or aqueous) phase.