We explore the fluorescence quenching of 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol in halocarbon solvents by using time-correlated single-photon-counting, femtosecond IR-spectroscopy and quantum chemistry computations. We find that halocarbon solvents facilitate a de-excitation mechanism via solute-solvent electron transfer. Decay rates are modulated by close contact interactions between the p-electronic structure of naphthols and halocarbon molecules in their first solvation shell. 1-naphthol exhibits faster decay rates than 2-naphthol due to closer interactions with the solvent. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V.