Mechanism of Exciplex Decay: The Quantum Yields and the Rate Constants of Radical Ion Formation from Exciplexes with Partial Charge Transfer

The dynamics of exciplex and radical ion formation was studied in donor–acceptor systems with G*et > –0.1 eV. It was shown that the quenching of excited singlet states of aromatic molecules by electron donors in polar solvents led to the formation of radical ions via exciplex dissociation resulting to complete charge separation. Intersystem crossing and internal conversion into the ground state (back electron transfer) compete with this process. The quantum yields and the rate constants of the radical ion formation were measured.