Evaluation of the stability constant of Cl2˙– in neutral aqueous solution

Abstract

The stability constant (K₁) of Cl₂˙^– has been measured in neutral aqueous solution using pulse radiolysis to generate Cl˙ by reaction of SO₄˙^– with Cl^–. K₁ is found to be (4.7 ± 0.4)× 10³ dm³ mol^–1, compared with the literature value of 1.9 × 10⁵ dm³ mol^–1. This low value of K₁ makes it possible to measure the rates of reaction of Cl˙ using pulse radiolysis. The technique is exemplified for the reaction Cl˙+ HCO₂^– for which k=(1.3 ± 0.4)× 10⁸ dm³ mol^–1 s^–1 has been obtained.