Formation of triplet naphthalene by energy transfer from Hg(6(3)p(0)) atoms, observed by a modulation technique

A new technique, employing a modulated mercury lamp, has been used for monitoring absorption by triplet naphthalene and metastable mercury atoms in the gas phase. The process Hg(6(3)P(0)) + C10H8((1)A(1g)) -> Hg(5(1)S(0)) + C10H8(B-3(2u)) was observed. Its rate constant, k(2) = (2.75 +/- 0.06) x 10(11) liters mole(-1) sec(-1), was measured by the phase method. A new gas phase spectrum of triplet naphthalene was obtained.