Quantum Yields for the Photosensitized Formation of the Lowest Electronically Excited Singlet State of Molecular Oxygen in Solution

Abstract

Quenching of excited singlet and triplet states of many substances by ground state molecular oxygen produces singlet oxygen, the lowest electronically excited singlet state of molecular oxygen, O₂(¹Δ_g). The fractions of singlet and triplet states quenched which produce singlet oxygen and the quantum yields of formation of singlet oxgyen in fluid solutions have been critically compiled. Methods for determination yield parameters have been reviewed. Data have been compiled from the literature through 1991. Photosensitizers such as aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic ketones and thiones, quinones, coumarins, fluoresceins, transition metal complexes, and heterocyclics are included in Table 1. Porphyrins and phthalocyanines are included in Table 2. Other materials which have been investigated for singlet oxygen production, such as dyes and drugs, are collected in Table 3 along with heterogeneous systems such as polymer‐bound photosensitizers.