Increased phenylation in the molecular series PhCH2NHPh (1), Ph2CHNHPh (2), and Ph3CNHPh (3) has two important consequences on the photophysical/photochemical behavior: (i) decrease in the fluorescence quantum yields (cyclohexane), Phi(f) = 0.115, 0.063, 0.001 (lambda(exc) = 254 nm) and 0.164, 0.089, 0.019 (lambda(exc) = 290 nm), respectively, and (ii) increase in the quantum yield (MeCN) of the photodissociation products PhCH2., Ph2CH., and Ph3C., Phi(radical) = 0.16, 0.25, 0.65 (lambda(exc) = 248 nm) and (not measured), 0.18, 0.29 (lambda(exc) = 308 nm), respectively. As the C-N bond progressively weakens in the series 1, 2, 3 (bond dissociation enthalpy: 52, 48, 39 kcal/mol, respectively), the C-N fission channel becomes obviously more favorable and competes effectively with fluorescence. The involved intermediates PhCH2., Ph2CH., Ph3C., and PhNH.. were identified using laser flash photolysis (248 and 308 nm). Product analysis (lamp irradiation) gives as main products aniline and (i) 1,1-diphenylethane and o- and p-benzylaniline for 1, (ii) 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane for 2, (iii) Ph3CH and 9-Ph-fluorene for 3; all these compounds are formed from the above radicals through coupling or H-abstraction reactions.
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