Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Studies of Transient Free Radicals Produced by Pulse Radiolysis

Electron paramagnetic studies have been conducted on the transient free radicals produced by pulse radiolysis in liquids. The instrument design permitted observation of radical lifetimes ≥2 − 3 μsec and corresponding rate constants ≤1010M − 1·sec − 1. The effect of radical scavengers such as sulfur-containing compounds or oxygen on the transient behavior of the cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl radical were studied and the pertinent rate constants determined for the reaction. Recombination rate constants for cycloalkyl as well as alkyl- and cycloalkyl-peroxy radicals were compared along with the activation energy for representative species.