Photoinduced properties of methyl ester of 2,6-dimethyl-1-amino-4-benzoic acid: Evidence of charge transfer emission from a weak primary amino donor

Photophysical properties of methyl ester of 2,6-dimethyl-1-amino-4-benzoic acid (M26DMB) have been investigated using steady state absorption and emission spectroscopy and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. Interestingly, not only in polar solvents, the molecule M26DMB having a weak primary amino donor group shows broad red-shifted emission band even in non-polar environment which in all probability arises from closely spaced local and charge transfer (CT) states. Clear dual fluorescence in polar protic solvents comprises of less intense local emission band and strong red-shifted CT band. The position of the red-shifted emission band is dependent on both the polarity and the hydrogen-bonding ability of the solvent.