Metal-free generation of hydroxyl radicals by benzoate-mediated decomposition of peroxides

Abstract

A type of metal-free organic photo-Fenton-like reaction was developed, which was realized by a combination of UV with benzoates and peroxides. The findings here not only provide a novel ˙OH production pathway, but also shed new light on the accurate quantification, better use or prevention of ˙OH in many scenarios.