Interaction of aromatic alcohols, aldehydes and acids with α-hydroxyl-containing carbon-centered radicals: A steady state radiolysis study

Benzaldehyde and its derivatives efficaciously oxidize in aqueous solutions alpha-hydroxyl-containing carbon-centered radicals (alpha-HCR) of various structures, suppressing thereby the radical recombination and fragmentation reactions. The compounds containing cinnamic moieties are capable of adding alpha-hydroxyethyl radicals (alpha-HER) to the carbon-carbon double bonds conjugated with the aromatic system to form molecular products identifiable by mass spectrometry. On radiolysis of aqueous ethanol solutions, reduction of alpha-HER by aromatic alcohols and acids has been shown to proceed via formation of their adducts with hydrated electron species. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.