Using a competitive spin trapping method, relative spin trapping rates were quantified for various short-lived radicals (methyl, ethyl, and phenyl radicals). High static pressure was applied to the competitive spin-trapping system by employing high-pressure electron spin resonance (ESR) equipment. Under high pressure (490 bar), spin trapping rate constants for alkyl and phenyl radicals increased by 10 to 40%, and the increase was dependent on the structure of nitrone spin traps. A maximum increase was obtained when tert-butyl(4-pyridinylmethylene)amine N-oxide (4-POBN) was used as a spin trap. Activation volumes (ΔΔV‡) for the two spin trapping reactions were calculated to be −17–(−9) cm3 mol−1 for the 4-POBN system.
