Direct Observation of Solvation of the Electron in Liquid Alcohols by Pulse Radiolysis

Abstract

THE solvated electron (e⁻_s) is an important intermediate in the radiation chemistry of liquids, and being the simplest of chemically reactive species, its properties are of some interest¹. The interaction of the electron with its immediate environment or solvation shell is important in the formulation of models for e⁻_s, and direct observation of the change from a “dry” to a “solvated” electron is likely to provide information for such models. Also, because the dry electron diffuses roughly three orders of magnitude faster than e⁻_s, the time required for solvation may have important chemical consequences in the effects of ionizing radiation on polar liquids². We have recently obtained direct evidence for the recombination of electrons with their geminate cations before solvation can occur (unpublished results).