Decay kinetics of aryloxy and semiquinone radicals in the presence of copper ions

Abstract
The decay kinetics of aryloxy and semiquinone radicals in the presence of copper ions in aqueous solutions has been studied by means of the flash photolysis technique. The radicals are involved in electron transfer reactions and those leading to the formation of intermediate complexes with copper ions. The complexes of p‐benzosemiquinone anion radicals and 2‐hydroxyphenoxy radicals with cupric ions decay in bimolecular self‐reactions at a much slower rate than the original radicals. The increased stability of the complexes compared with the initial radicals is attributed to partial delocalization of the unpaired electron over the electron shell of copper and to steric hindrances in the self‐reactions of complexes.