Picosecond Pulse Radiolysis Studies. I. The Solvated Electron in Aqueous and Alcohol Solutions

Observations of the solvated electron in water and the common aliphatic alcohols have been made in the time region ∼ 20–350 psec. Molar concentrations of acid have been used to scavenge eaq− and k(eaq−+Haq+) has been measured as (1.2 ± 0.2) × 1010 liter/mole·sec for [Haq+] from 0.5 to 5.0M. The factors limiting the time response of our picosecond pulse radiolysis system are discussed. The time of formation of esol− is estimated to be less than 10 psec for all solvents studied. The yield of solvated electrons in alcohols has been measured to be approximately one-third of the yield in water at picosecond times.