Pulse radiolysis study of the reactions of hydrated electrons with naphthalene, phenanthrene, biphenyl and fluorene in aqueous micellar solutions

The reaction of hydrated electrons with naphthalene, phenanthrene, biphenyl and fluorene to form the respective aromatic radical anions has been studied in aqueous solutions (1 % methanol, pH 12.1) in the presence and absence of micellar hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The reaction rates are 3–9 times faster in the presence of micellar CTAB suggesting that CTAB will, in general, enhance this type of reaction. An absorption spectrum of the free fluorene radical anion was obtained. In the presence of CTAB the aromatic radical anions decay to second transients which are probably the hydrogen adducts of the aromatic molecules.