Reaction of diethyl maleate and diethyl fumarate with hydrated electrons and hydroxyl radicals

Abstract In dilute aqueous solution diethyl maleate (DEM) and diethyl fumarate (DEF) scavenge hydrated electrons with a rate constant of 2.2·10 10 mol −1 dm 3 s −1 . DEM − reversibly protonates with pK a = 5.2. The pK a of DEF − is below 4. The electron adducts decay in second order reactions. The OH radicals add to the double bonds with 5.9·10 9 mol −1 dm 3 s −1 . In the reaction α-carboxyalkyl radicals are produced. In disproportionation of radicals oxalacetic acid ethylester forms that in alkaline solution leads to strong permanent absorbency in the UV.