Spectroscopy and Photophysics of 3'-[p-(dimethylamino)phenyl]spiro-[fluorene-9,4'-oxazolidine]-2',5'-dione

Electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy of the title molecule has been studied in solution, low-temperature glasses and polymer matrices. No luminescence could be observed down to 77 K. In the presence of water, the formation of the hydrated species was observed, accompanied by the appearance of phosphorescence. The structure and spectra of both forms were calculated using molecular mechanics and quantum chemical methods. The lack of phosphorescence in the anhydride is interpreted as due to proximity effects in the triplet manifold.