Ionic liquids: Novel media for characterization of radical ions

The novel application of ionic liquids as media for radiolytic generation a nd UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic characterization of radical ions is described. The redox properties of neat 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium salts and their aq ueous solutions have been investigated by means of pulse radiolysis. Furthe rmore, ionic liquids prove to be ideal media for the simultaneous generatio n of radical cations and anions. The radical cations generated from 1-methy l-1,4-dihydronicotinamide, a structural analogue of NADH, have been spectro scopically characterized under matrix conditions for the first time.