ELECTRON-TRANSFER REACTIONS IN H-MORDENITE

The formation of octalin and 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene radical cations has been observed following adsorption of the parent substances onto activated H-mordenite. Electron transfer from a second adsorbate to the initially formed radical cation took place, from dimethylhexadiene to the octalin radical cation. This phenomenon was also observed when the benzene radical cation was used as electron acceptor. On addition of oxygen to the zeolite containing dimethylhexadiene, the spectrum of superoxide was observed. The combined intensity of the radical cation and anion decayed relatively rapidly, due to a reaction between the two species. The formation of ion pairs was also investigated using tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) as electron acceptor. The TCNE radical anion was observed and the implications of its decay are discussed.