Experimental and computational studies suggest that 375 nm excitation of arylchlorodiazirines furnishes their S(1) excited states with lengthened C-N bonds, a positive charge at the para and diazirine carbon atoms, and a negative charge at the nitrogen atoms. These structures rationalize the observed solvent and substituent effects on the excited state lifetimes.
Experimental and computational studies suggest that 375 nm excitation of arylchlorodiazirines furnishes their S(1) excited states with lengthened C-N bonds, a positive charge at the para and n class="Chemical">diazirinecarbon atoms, and a negative charge at the nitrogen atoms. These structures rationalize the observed solvent and substituent effects on the excited state lifetimes.