Photoinduced electron ejection from trihydroxoplumbate(II) in alkaline aqueous solution

In alkaline solution (1 M NaOH) irradiation (λir=266 nm) of Pb(OH)3− leads to the formation of hydrated electron and oxidized complex in the primary photochemical step. The nascent hydrated electrons react with the ground-state trihydroxoplumbate(II) complexes to form the corresponding reduced Pb(I) compound. The main reaction of this latter species is recombination (synproportionation) with the oxidized (Pb(III)) complex, significantly diminishing the efficiency of the overall light-induced oxidation of Pb(OH)3− in air-saturated solution.