Molecular dynamics simulations and fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements are used to investigate the rotational diffusion of anthracene in two organic solvents-cyclohexane and 2-propanol-at several temperatures. Molecular dynamics simulations of 1 us length were performed for anthracene in cyclohexane (at 280, 296, and 310 K) and in 2-propanol (at 296 K). The calculated time constants for reorientation of the short in-plane axis were 7-9 and 11-16 ps at 296 K in cyclohexane and 2-propanol, respectively, in excellent agreement with corresponding fluorescence depolarization measurements of 8 and 14 ps, The measured rotational reorientation times and the calculated average rotational diffusion coefficients varied in accord with Debye-Stokes-Einstein theory. Their magnitudes were close to values predicted for an ellipsoid of shape and size equivalent to an anthracene molecule, and exhibited predictable variation with external conditions-increasing with temperature and decreasing with solvent viscosity. However, analysis of the calculated rotational diffusion coefficients for the individual molecular axes gave a more complex picture, The diffusion was highly anisotropic and changes in temperature and solvent type led to nonuniform variation of the diffusion coefficients, The nature of these changes was rationalized based on analysis of variation of solvation patterns with temperature and solvent. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.