Free energies of electron ejection of aromatic hydrocarbon negative ions in ethers at room temperature

Abstract

The free energies of electron ejection of some aromatic hydrocarbon mono- and di-negative ions in DME and 2-MTHF at room temperature are estimated from existing experimental data. The formation of free solvated electrons requires about the same amount of free energy whether the negative ion is present as a loosely bound or a tightly bound associate with the sodium counter ion. When the ejected electrons are trapped by a solvent cavity in the vicinity of the sodium ion the reaction requires appreciably less energy for the tightly bound than for the loosely bound associates. The data are essential for the study of the photo-ionization of aromatic hydrocarbon negative ions in ethers.