Mechanism of the formation of transient aromatic radical cations in alcohols: laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis studies

A product of the reaction of SF{sub 6} with a solvated electron in an alcohol (presumably SF{sub 5}{sup {sm_bullet}}) reacts with an aromatic solute molecule such as anthracene, perylene, naphthalene, or hexamethylbenzene to form aromatic radical cations. This reaction depends on both the ionization potential of the aromatic solute molecule and the polarity of the solvent. The rates of these reactions are (except for naphthalene) in the range of (1-10) x 10{sup 9} M{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. The reaction of the aromatic molecule (except for naphthalene) with SF{sub 5}{sup {sm_bullet}} appears to have two pathways, one of which leads to the radical cation and a second that forms an undetermined product. 24 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.