Processus primaire de la photolyse et de la photo-oxydation de l'o-phényl-phénol
The dual fluorescence observed in aqueous solution of o-phenyl-phenol is attributed to a deprotonation equilibrium in the excited singlet state. The effect of oxygen on the primary photochemical process of formation of phenoxy radicals can be explained in a parallel study of the variations of fluorescence and photo-oxidation quantum yields of this phenolic compound at different pH. It is shown that photoionisation occurs only from the excited singlet state of the phenolate form. Oxygen inhibits recombination of the solvated electron and phenoxy radical. Increase of quantum yield for the disappearance of irradiated o-phenyl-phenol in degased solution also is observed in the presence of electron scavengers like Cd2+ or NO3− ions. Even when the phenoxy radicals are not able to react with oxygen, quantum yield for the disappearance of the phenolic compounds is higher in an aerated than in a degassed solution; the oxygen effect on the primary photochemical step may explain this difference.