The interaction of 4-methyl-2,6-diformyl phenol (MFOH) with tributylamine and trioctylamine has been studied quantitatively in protic solvents by means of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy with special emphasis on proton transfer. It is observed that (a) the intensity of the absorption band in the 430–450 nm region due to the phenolate anion (MFO⁻) increases with increasing amine concentration; (b) the change in the intensity of the absorption band in the 350 nm region due to intramolecularly hydrogen bonded MFOH follows inversely the change in intensity of the absorption band due to the anion at 430–450 nm region (c) the intensity of the fluorescence band around 480–520 nm region due to the MFO⁻ anion increases with increase in the added base concentration. The results are interpreted in terms of proton transfer from MFOH to an amine base to yield an anion MFO⁻ both in the ground and excited electronic states. Equilibrium data for the proton transfer reaction between MFOH and amine bases (B) in ethanol, butanol and water as solvents have been obtained and discussed.