The fluorescence of some biphenyl derivatives

1. The variation with pH of the excitation and fluorescence wavelengths and fluorescence intensity of several hydroxy- and amino-biphenyls has been investigated with a view to using the data for the determination of hydroxybiphenyls in biological material. 2. 2- and 3-Hydroxy-, 2,2'-dihydroxy-, and 2-, 3- and 4-amino-biphenyl exhibited excited-state ionization. 4-Hydroxy- and 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl did not, and showed normal fluorescence changes with pH. 3. Biphenyl and 2- and 4-methoxybiphenyl showed no changes in fluorescence in the range pH0-14. 4. 4,4'-Dihydroxybiphenyl showed fluorescent peaks corresponding to the un-ionized form, the monoanion and dianion at the appropriate pH values, but 2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl showed fluorescent peaks corresponding to the un-ionized form and the monoanion only, suggesting that it did not form a dianion. 5. 3- and 4-Nitrobiphenyl were non-fluorescent. 6. These results are discussed.