6-Hydroxyquinoline (6-HQ) in benzene emits normal fluorescence around 357 nm. In the presence of acetic acid (HOAc), it exhibits two more bands at similar to 419 nm and a large Stokes shifted one at -583 nm with decreased intensity of the normal fluorescence. It appears to form (1:1) and (1:2) complexes-(1:2) 6-HQ/HOAc undergoes an excited state proton rearrangement (via HOAc wire) resulting in keto tautomer (emitting at similar to 583 nm). This appears to be in line with recent findings where ammonia wires facilitate proton/hydrogen translocation (Science, 302, 1736, 2003). However, (1:1) 6-HQ/HOAc exhibits intermediate emission (similar to 419 nm) presumably due to ESIPT. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.