The photophysics of the 2,6 dialkoxy anthracenes: Evidence for excited state side-chain conformational relaxation

► Three 2,6 dialkoxyanthracenes were synthesized and their steady-state spectroscopic properties measured. ► The electronic states and transition dipole strengths of these molecules were calculated using the TDDFT and were compared to those of unsubstituted anthracene. ► Picosecond time-resolved fluorescence measurements in solution showed the existence of two emitting states, and the dependence of their interconversion rate on solvent was determined. ► The activation energy between conformations was obtained from temperature-dependent measurements. ► The identity of the two emissive conformers was discussed, along with their implications for solid-state measurements on these molecules.