Photodissociation of I2 in solution: the observation of solvent-dependent near-infrared emission associated with I(2P1/2)–solvent interaction

The photolysis of molecular iodine in solution phase has been investigated by Fourier transform techniques coupled with an ultrasensitive near-infrared detecting system. The spectral features and relaxation dynamics of the resulting 1200–1600 nm emission revealed strong solvent dependence. Detailed analyses conclude that the emitting species are attributed to the iodine atom (2P1/2 → 2P3/2) magnetic dipole transition in the near infrared perturbed by iodine atom–solvent complexes.