LAUSR

Abstract Quercetin (Que), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has attracted considerable interest due to its diverse biological properties. Structurally, Que possesses conjugated electron rich aromatic rings which make it a good electron donor. The present study investigated and compared the structural morphology and spectroscopic characteristics of the charge–transfer (CT) complex of the Que as a donor with TCNE as an acceptor in ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), and acetonitrile solvents at room temperature. The obtained CT product was characterized in both solid and liquid state using UV–visible, IR spectroscopy, and CHN elemental analyses. Infrared spectral bands were assigned and proved that the interaction between Que and TCNE take place via the electron rich aromatic rings of Que donor to the C N group of the TCNE acceptor. The morphological properties of these products have been visualized using SEM and TEM techniques. The outcome shows that the complexation mode and morphologic characteristics of the CT product are markedly affected by the solvent. The band gap of CT complex presented in this study has been estimated from the absorbance coefficient data as a function of wavelength using Tauc relation.