The effect of temperature on the optical spectra and the yields of solvated electrons and ion-pairs in amines

Abstract

Optical absorption spectra for the solvated electron, es−, and ion-pairs, (Na+, es−), have been observed in methylamine (MA), ethylamine (EA), and isopropylamine (IPA), at temperatures ranging from 184 to 338 K. Changes in the (Na+, es−) spectra, relative to es−, are consistent with a gradual transition in the ion-pair structure toward a more 'electron-like' entity with decreasing temperature and increasing solvent polarity. Extinction coefficients, εmax(es−) = 3.3 ± 0.2, 3.2 ± 0.5, and 3.2 ± 0.5 × 104 M−1 cm−1 in MA, EA, and IPA respectively. Corresponding values for the ion-pairs, εmax(Na+, es−) = 2.5 ± 0.2, 2.1 ± 0.2, and 1.9 ± 0.2 × 104 M−1 cm−1.In EA and IPA, the yield [Formula: see text] (molecules/100 eV) shows a marked solute concentration dependence. This is consistent with an empirical scavenging model from which the escaped solvated G(es−)esc and spur G(es−)spur electrons are estimated as G(es−)esc = 0.5 and 0.4, G(es−)spur = 1.8 and 1.4, giving G(es−)total = 2.3 and 1.8 in EA and IPA, respectively. In MA, [Formula: see text] = G(es−)esc = 2.25 ± 0.2, independent of solute concentration.