On the structure of iodine charge-transfer complexes in solution

Femtosecond transient absorption studies of charge-transfer complexes of I2 with hexamethylbenzene have been performed in a series of noncomplexing solvents. Anisotropy measurements of the bleach of the charge-transfer absorption band indicate that the geometry and electronic structure of the complex is dependent upon the solvent environment. The results are interpreted as favoring an oblique, nearly axial, geometry in alkanes and a resting geometry in chlorinated methanes.