Excited state electronic polarization and reappraisal of the n ← π∗ emission of acetone in water

►Analysis of the solvent effect on the n ← π∗ emission of acetone in water is made. ► Solute-solvent configurations generated by Monte Carlo simulation are used. ► Electronic polarization in the excited state is systematically included. ► The excited state dipole moment in-solvent agrees with Car-Parrinello dynamics. ► The results conform that the solvent effects on the fluorescence of acetone is mild.