Self-exchange reactions of radical anions in n-hexane

The formation and reactions of radical anions in n-hexane at 190 K were investigated by pulse radiolysis and time-resolved fluorescence-detected magnetic resonance (FDMR). Electron attachment was found to occur for compounds with gas-phase electron affinities (EA) more positive than −1.1 ± 0.1 eV. The FDMR concentration and time dependence are interpreted as evidence for self-exchange electron-transfer reactions, indicating that formation of dimer radical anions is not prevalent for the range of molecules studied. FDMR detection of radical anions is mainly restricted to electron acceptors with EA less than approximately 0.5 eV.