Singlet oxygen O2(a1Δg) formation via UV-excitation of isoprene-oxygen C5H8–O2 encounter complexes in gas phase

Photogeneration of singlet oxygen O2(a1Δg) resulted from photoexcitation at 248 and 266 nm of isoprene-oxygen mixtures at elevated oxygen pressure has been investigated. Pulse energy and oxygen pressure dependence of the singlet oxygen yield indicate one-quantum photoexcitation of the encounter complex isoprene-oxygen C5H8–O2 as a source of O2(a1Δg). Suggested mechanism of O2(a1Δg) photogeneration involves direct excitation of complex with simultaneous change of both partner spins like that observed in van der Waals complex C5H8–O2 [Vidma et al., J. Chem. Phys. 137 (2012) 054305]. Other supposed pathways involve collision-induced photogeneration of Herzberg III state O2(A’3Δg) or triplet isoprene as the intermediates.