We clearly demonstrate the occurrence of energy transfer between
18O
2 (
1g) and
16O
2 in the ground state (
3g-) with subsequent conversion of the latter species into its singlet excited state (
1g) in aqueous solution. This was inferred from the results of incubation experiments involving DHPN
18O
2 as a chemical generator of
18O
2 (
1g) and the water-soluble disodium salt of anthracene (EAS) used as a chemical trap of singlet oxygen. The products of the reaction were accurately analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS.