Electron transfer in N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid by pulse radiolysis

Abstract

The radiolysis behavior of neat pyridinium ionic liquids (ILs) and their aqueous solutions was investigated using nanosecond pulse radiolysis techniques. Radiolysis of the ionic liquids, such as N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BuPyBF4), resulted in the formation of solvated electrons and organic radicals. Solvated electrons reacted with the pyridinium moiety to produce a pyridinyl radical, which can transfer electrons to various acceptors. The electron-transfer rate constants of the solvent-derived butylpyridinyl radicals in BuPyBF4 and in several compounds (for example, duroquinone, 4,4′-pyridine, benzophenone, and 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bypyridinium dichloride) (k of the order 108 L/(mol s) were lower than those measured in water and in i-PrOH but were significantly higher than the diffusion-controlled rate constants estimated based on viscosity. The electron-transfer rate constants in neat BuPyBF4 were one order of magnitude faster than the diffusion-controlled values. This finding suggests that Bu-PyBF4 acts not only as solvent but also as active solute, such as in solvent-mediated reactions. These reactions result in electrons reaching their final destinations via intervening pyridinium groups without requiring the diffusion of a specific radical.