ACID-BASE ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES IN THE GAS PHASE: PERMANENT ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENTS OF A PHOTOACIDIC SUBSTRATE.

Abstract

The permanent electric dipole moments of two conformers of 2-naphthol (2HN) in their ground and electronically excited states have been experimentally determined by Stark-effect measurements in a molecular beam. When in solution, 2HN is a weak base in the \textit{S}${_0}$ state and a strong acid in the \textit{S}${_1}$ state. \textbf{5}, 273 (1970).} Using sequential solvation of the \textit{cis}-2HN photoacid with the base ammonia, we have begun to approach condensed phase acid-base interactions with gas phase rotational resolution. \textbf{96}, 8026 (1992).} Our study, void of bulk solvent perturbations, is of importance to the larger community currently describing aromatic biomolecule and "super" photoacid behavior \textit{via} theoretical modeling and condensed phase solvatochromism.