The Ultraviolet Absorption and Luminescence of Decaborane

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of decaborane in cyclohexane shows a broad absorption with a maximum molecular extinction coefficient of 3200±100A at wave-length 2720±50A. The luminescence of decaborane dissolved in a glass at 77°K shows a continuous fluorescence extending from 3630±50A to about 6000A with a broad maximum at 4520A. No further luminescence was observed at wave-lengths shorter than 9000A. The 0–0 transition is located at 3600±50A. The energy levels of a particle in a rectangular, hemispherical, and spherical box were used to test the applicability of a metallic model to decaborane. Agreement with the absorption spectrum and the molecular dimensions was obtained.