Mechanisms of peroxide decomposition. EPR studies of the one-electron oxidation of the peroxymonosulphate anion (HOOSO3–) and the reactions of SO5˙–

Abstract

Continuous-flow EPR studies of the reaction between Ce^IV and the peroxymonosulphate anion HOOSO₃^– at low pH enable the isotropic EPR spectrum of SO₅˙^– to be characterized, and provide kinetic information on the formation and reaction of this radical. Alkylperoxyl radicals (RO₂˙) detected when the reaction is carried out in the presence of alkenes (e.g. methyl methacrylate) are shown to arise from reactions of SO₄˙^–(derived from self-reaction of SO₅˙^–) with the alkene, and subsequent addition of oxygen (also formed from SO₅˙^–).