Electronic spectra of o-, m- and p-tolunitrile—substituent effect on internal rotation of the methyl group

The S₁ ← S₀ fluorescence excitation spectra and the S₁→S₀ dispersed fluorescence spectra of o-, m-and p-tolunitrile were measured in supersonic jets. Low-frequency bands due to internal rotation of the methyl group were observed in m- and p-tolunitrile. Observed band positions and relative intensities of the internal rotational bands were reproduced by a calculation using a free rotor basis set. From the analysis, the potential curve of the internal rotation was determined in both S₁ and S₀. It was found that the barrier height increases in going from S₀ to S₁ in m-tolunitrile, while it decreases in p-tolunitrile. In contrast, no low-frequency band was found in o-tolunitrile. It is concluded that the potential curve in o-tolunitrile does not change in going from S₀ to S₁. The change of the barrier height by electronic excitation in tolunitriles differs greatly from that observed in other toluene derivatives. It is suggested that the electronic properties of a substituent are important for the methyl rotation in the excited state.