Photolytic and radiolytic studies of SO4.- in neat organic solvents

A study of SO4.- in neat organic solvents by laser photolytic and pulse rad iolytic methods has been described for the first time. The sulfate radical was produced in neat CH3CN and CHCl3 by laser photolysis of (CTA)(2)S2O8 (C TA = cetyltrimethylammonium), or in CH3CN via reduction of (CTA)(2)S2O8 wit h a reducing species produced from pulse radiolysis. The quantum yield of S O4.- in CH3CN was 30% higher than in water, based on our experimental resul ts. The SO4.- reacts slowly with CH3CN, but rapidly with CHCl3 to form (CCl 3)-C-. which is further converted into CCl3O2. in the presence of oxygen. R ate constants for hydrogen abstraction from alkanols by SO4.- were lower by 1-2 orders of magnitude in CH3CN than in aqueous solutions.