Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation and single vibronic level fluorescence (SVLF) spectra of jet-cooled 1-hydroxytetralin (1HT) have been measured to investigate the nature of weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The vibronic bands observed in the LIF excitation spectrum were responsible for two conformers resulting from different configurations of the saturated six-membered ring with the orientation of the hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl hydrogen in the stable conformers was directed toward the benzene pi-electrons. The conformational preferences in 1HT clearly indicate the weak intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot pi hydrogen bonding. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.