In: Chemistry
The wavelengths of absorption of chromophores in electronic spectra are often influenced by the solvent. For example, polar solvents stabilize the ground state of n --> π transitions (n is a non-bonding orbital that is carried over into the molecular orbital scheme) more than the excited state. On the other hand, for π to π* transitions, the excited state is more stabilized. Sketch diagrams to show the changes in energy levels involved in the electronic transition when a chromophore changes from a nonpolar to a polar solvent environment and predict the shift in wavelength in each case.