Radiolabelling studies of free radicals using muonium (the second hydrogenradioisotope)

An overview is presented of the way various spectroscopic/radioisotopic-lab elling methods (MuSR), in which free radicals are labelled with the light h ydrogen radioisotope muonium, may be employed in the study of free radical reaction kinetics and dynamics. Specifically considered are: the reaction r ates of thiyl radicals and related species in relation to biological membra ne damage; the dynamics of radicals sorbed in solid catalysts and in activa ted carbons and other porous particulate materials of environmental signifi cance; reacting gas-phase systems; mechanisms for the formation of muon (mu onium) labelled radicals, and the study of radical stabilisation and reacti vity.