The Bimolecular Decay of the α - Hydroxymethylperoxyl Radicals in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The bimolecular decay of the hydroxymethylperoxyl radical in aqueous solution (k = 2.1 x 109 M-1s-1) leads mainly (80%) to one molecule of hydrogen peroxid and to two molecules of formic acid. 2 HOCH2OO· → H2O2 + 2 HCOOH Deuterium kinetic isotope effects show that the decay occurs at room temperature via a short lived (τ < 10-4 s) tetroxid.