Anomalously High Specific Rates of Diffusion-Controlled Reactions: Luminescence Quenching in Liquid Systems

Quenching constants (γs′) and specific rates of quenching (kq) of uv- and high-energy sensitized luminescence by carbon tetrachloride in de-aerated solutions of p-terphenyl in benzene and in cyclohexane are given. Values for kq in benzene ranging as high as 3.6×1010M—1 sec—1 appear, in first approximation, to be quantitatively explicable on the basis of current theoretical treatment. However, the cyclohexane results (kq>3×1011M—1 sec—1) are clearly anomalously high and are not suggested by current theory; some speculation as to the cause of such results is included.