Reaction of fluoride ions with hydrogen atoms in aqueous solution

Abstract

Fluoride ions react with hydrogen atoms to yield hydrated electrons. This has been shown both by decrease in hydrogen abstraction and increase in the yield of electrons under radiolysis of neutral aqueous solutions. The conversion H+F^–→e^–_aq has been also demonstrated under sonolytic conditions where no e^–_aq is originally present. The rate of the H+F^– reaction, k_H+F^–= 1.5 ± 0.5 × 10⁴ M^–1 sec^–1, allowed a recalculation of the redox potential of the hydrated electron, E°(e^–_aq)= 2.5 V.