Dual Fluorescence and Ground State Equilibria in Methyl Salicylate, Methyl 3-Chlorosalicylate, and Methyl 3-tert-Butylsalicylate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100443a012

Fluorescence spectra of methyl 3-chlorosalicylate, methyl 3-tert-butylsalicylate, and o-hydroxyacetophenone in cyclohexane and ethanol at room temperature have been measured, together with the corrected dual fluorescence excitation spectra of gas-phase methyl salicylate.Based on these observations a ground state equilibrium between two tautomers is proposed, both having an intramolecular hydrogen bond.This model is consistent with a number of methyl salicylate H-bond energy estimates.It also allowed an interpretation of the multiple fluorescence emitted from these and related compounds either in solution or in gas phase.