ELECTRON SOLVATION IN 1-PROPANOL AND 2-PROPANOL AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE

The kinetics and activation energy for electron solvation in 1-propano l and 2-propanol were measured from -20 to -50 degrees C. The activati on energy for electron solvation in 1-propanol (14.4 +/- 1.4 kJ/mol) i s less than that for hydrogen-bond breakage while the activation energ y for electron solvation in 2-propanol (21 +/- 2 kJ/mol) is greater th an that for hydrogen-bond breakage. These results suggest that (1) the electron is solvated in preexisting clusters, (2) in 1-propanol, thes e clusters are cyclic and rotational motion that breaks hydrogen bonds is not rate-limiting, and (3) in 2-propanol, linear structures domina te and the solvation process requires hydrogen-bond breakage.