Pulse Radiolytic Formation of Solvated Electrons, Ion-pairs, and Alkali Metal Anions in Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

Pulse radiolysis of solutions of alkali metal cations in tetrahydrofuran (THF) demonstrates the formation of solvated electrons es−, alkali metal cation-ion pairs (M+, es−), and alkali metal anions M−. This paper describes the spectra, extinction coefficients, and radiolytic yields of es−, lithium, sodium, potassium, and cesium species in THF. The reaction kinetics are complex but largely involve reactions A and B[Formula: see text]with the concomitant disappearance of all three species by reaction with radiolytically produced radicals. Rate constants and ion-pair dissociation constants for es− and the sodium and potassium species are presented and compared with data established from studies of blue solutions of alkali metals dissolved in THF.