The photochemical reactions (ZE isomerization and photocyclization) of the s-cis and s-trans rotamers of (Z)-1-(2-anthryl)-2-phenylethene (Z2APE) were investigated. The absorption, steady-state and picosecond time-resolved fluorescences, and transient absorption spectra were measured in order to achieve a better understanding of the rotamer photochemistry. The spectra were compared with those of the model compounds ((Z)-1-[2-(1-methylanthryl ...