Molecular reactivity can change dramatically with the absorption of a photon due to the difference of the electronic configurations between the excited and ground states. Here we report on the discovery of a modular system (Schiff base formed from an aldehyde and an amine) that upon photoexcitation yields a more basic imine capable of intermolecular proton transfer from protic solvents. Ultrafast dynamics of the excited state conjugated Schiff base reveals the pathway for proton transfer, culminating in a 14‐unit increase in pK_a to give the excited state pK_a^*>20 in ethanol.

中文翻译：

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“超级”照片库的超快速动力学。

由于激发态和基态之间电子构型的差异，分子反应性会随着光子的吸收而发生巨大变化。在这里，我们报告发现了模块化系统（由醛和胺形成的席夫碱）的发现，该系统在光激发后会产生更碱性的亚胺，能够从质子溶剂中转移分子间质子。激发态共轭席夫碱的超快动力学揭示了质子转移的途径，最终使p K _a增加14个单位，从而使乙醇中的激发态p K _a ^* > 20。