Concerning correct and incorrect assignments of Soret (S-2-S-0) fluorescence in porphyrinoids: a short critical review

The relaxation dynamics of electronically excited porphyrinoids are often measured by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. The unusual occurrence of measurable fluorescence from an upper excited singlet state (often identified as the second electronically excited singlet state, S-2) of some porphyrins has, in recent years, prompted a spate of mis-assignments of observed emission from other porphyrinoids excited in the near UV-violet regions of the spectrum. The criteria for correctly assigning fluorescence to a Soret excited state are reviewed. Questionable and mis-assigned reports are identified.