Photochemistry at the RCDC

The scope of the mission of the Radiation Chemistry Data Center (RCDC) was expanded in 1978 to include the collection of papers containing quantitative data on photophysical and photochemical processes. Since that time, several compilations have been prepared containing critically evaluated data extracted from this amassing bibliography (it now contains approximately 72,000 references).

Data compilations currently derive from three main areas:

  1. Excited (Organic) Triplet States
  2. Metal Complex Excited State Quenching
  3. Singlet Molecular Oxygen
A Handbook of Photochemistry containing a much wider variety of photochemical and photophysical data has also been published. (1993, Marcel Dekker)

Triplet Excited States

The participation of the excited triplet state has been implicated in a wide range of photochemical and photophysical processes. Identification by spectral location and quantitification by molar absorption coefficient calibration have been addressed in a compilation of triplet-triplet absorption parameters, including a statistical analysis of measured absorptivities, reviews of methodology and the selection of recommended values. Formation quantum yields, phosphorescence yields and decay rates have also been compiled for key triplet states, and extensive tabulations of further important properties, such as bimolecular quenching rates, have been provided in the second edition of the Handbook of Photochemistry.

Excited Metal Complex Quenching

The quenching of the excited states of metal complexes, especially ruthenium tris(bipy), in solution is a topic of central importance to solar photochemistry...

Singlet Molecular Oxygen

The first compilation derived from photochemical bibliographic activity focused on the reaction rates of singlet molecular oxygen and was published 1981. Very recently the quantum yields for the photoproduction of singlet oxygen have been collected and evaluated and an update and revision of the orginal decay and reaction rate work is in progress.

  1. Rate Constants for the Decay and Reactions of the Lowest Electronically Excited Singlet State of Molecular Oxygen in Solution
    F. Wilkinson and J. Brummer, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 10 809-999 (1981) __ Ordering info.
  2. Quantum Yields for the Photosensitized Formation of the Lowest Electronically Excited Singlet State of Molecular Oxygen in Solution
    F. Wilkinson, W.P. Helman, and A.B. Ross, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 22 113-262 (1993) __ Ordering info.
  3. Rate Constants for the Decay and Reactions of the Lowest Electronically Excited Singlet State of Molecular Oxygen in Solution. Revised and Expanded
    F. Wilkinson, W.P. Helman, and A.B. Ross, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data (to be published).

Handbook of Photochemistry

Steven L. Murov, Ian Carmichael, and Gordon L. Hug
Second Edition, Marcel Dekker, publisher (1993).

More information about just what's in the Handbook of Photochemistry is available, or if you just want to go ahead and order it....

This document prepared by Ian Carmichael

e-mail: ian@convex.rad.nd.edu
Comments and questions welcome, of course.

Work supported by:

Office of Basic Energy Sciences
United States Department of Energy

Standard Reference Data
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Last update: Dec. 21, 1994