Knowledge Bank

ESR is used to study the kinetics of methyl radical decay in methanol-water matrices. The radicals are produced by ultraviolet irradiation of the mixture which is held at $77\circ K$ for irradiation and measurement. Possible mechanisms for production of methyl and other radicals are given, and a table showing relative abundances of certain radicals is presented. Reaction rates for methyl radical decay indicating second order kinetics and showing more than ten to one change for varying matrix conditions are shown.