Electronically nonadiabatic thermal reactions of organic molecules

This critical review seeks to bring together organic reactions in which thermal generation of electronic excited states plays an important role. The best known such reactions are those producing chemiluminescent products. However, it appears that there may exist at least as many nonadiabatic reactions in which the excited molecules react before they luminesce. An effort is made to understand the efficiency of excited state production. The crucial roles played by reactive intermediates are highlighted.