Non-radiative lifetime of excited singlet penta-1,3-dienes from the absolute rate of a 5-3 hydrogen shift in the vapour phase
Abstract
Irradiation of trans-penta-1,3-diene at 254 nm yields penta-1,4-diene as a photoproduct in the vapour but not in the condensed phase; Stern–Volmer treatment of this quenchable reaction allows the calculation of the absolute rate constant and the deduction of a lifetime of ca. 2 × 10–8 s for the lowest excited singlet diene.