Electron solvation in 1-propanol and 2-propanol as a function of temperature

The kinetics and activation energy for electron solvation in 1-propanol and 2-propanol were measured from −20 to −50°C. The activation energy for electron solvation in 1-propanol (14.4 ± 1.4 kJ/mol) is less than that for hydrogen-bond breakage while the activation energy for electron solvation in 2-propanol (21 ± 2 kJ/mol) is greater than that for hydrogen-bond breakage. These results suggest that (1) the electron is solvated in preexisting clusters, (2) in 1-propanol, these clusters are cyclic and rotational motion that breaks hydrogen bonds is not rate-limiting, and (3) in 2-propanol, linear structures dominate and the solvation process requires hydrogen-bond breakage.