Absorption and luminescence spectroscopic analysis of tautomeric forms of protonatedN,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-nitro-9-acridinyl)-1,3-propanediamine (nitracrine) and its nitro isomers in poly(vinyl alcohol) films.

The electronic absorption, fluorescence, and phosphorescence excitation spectra, as well as the fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra, at either room or liquid nitrogen temperatures, were measured forN,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-nitro-9-acridinyl)-1,3-propanediamine and its three nitro isomers in acidified poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film. The spectral characteristics obtained reveal the existence of the compounds studied in at least two structural forms. The results are interpreted in terms of the tautomeric phenomena which originate due to the migration of the hydrogen atom, which is bound to the nitrogen atom attached to the carbon atom (9), to the acridine ring nitrogen.