Absorption, steady-state and timed-resolved fluorescence spectra of nine N-p-bromobenzyl substituted (E)-4'-hydroxy-4-stilbazolium bromides and N-p-bromo- (or nitro-) benzyl substituted (E)-4'-hydroxy-3'methoxy-4-stilbazolium bromides, belonging to the hemicyanine class of compounds, were studied in dry and water-containing polar solvents and in water. All of the studied compounds displayed negative solvatochromism. In solvents with small amounts of water the solutions of each of the compounds change color to red, blue-green or blue, while in extra dry solvents they are all yellow. The new band causing the change in color is interpreted as belonging to the deprotonated form of the respective compound. The absorption and emission spectra of protonated and deprotonated forms of hemicyanines in solvents are presented in comparison with those of selected, isolated deprotonated forms (merocyanines) of the same compounds. The discrimination between the quinoid and zwitterionic deprotonated forms was achieved based on the absorption band location. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements in selected dry and water-containing solvents were also performed.
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