Radiation-generated cations of 1,1-diphenylethylene and their kinetic behaviour at low temperatures

Abstract Cations of 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE) were studied in electron-scavenger matrices in the temperature range 90–130 K. Nanosecond and microsecond pulse-radiolysis, with optical absorption spectroscopy in times from 10 -8 to 10 -2 s was used. The bands of the absorption spectra are interpreted on the basis of a simplified reaction mechanism and kinetic calculations. Reaction rate constants for the dimerization of the radical cations of DPE are given.