Nonradiative deactivation of singlet oxygen ((1)O2) by cubane and its derivatives.

The bimolecular quenching rate constants of singlet oxygen ((1)O2) by cubane and cubane derivatives were determined and found to be in the order of 10(3)-10(4) M(-1) s(-1). These values represent larger values than expected for aliphatic alkanes as a model for C-H vibrational deactivation. This result is explained by the occurrence of two different deactivation mechanisms: energy transfer to cubane C-H vibrational modes and the formation of a charge-transfer complex between (1)O2 and cubane ((1)O2(*-)...cubane(*+)).