Optical spectra and kinetic characteristics of radicals formed upon the photolysis of aqueous solutions of a FeOHaq2+ complex and phenol

The nature, optical spectra, and kinetic characteristics were determined for intermediate radicals formed upon the photolysis of aqueous solutions of a FeOHaq2+ complex with phenol additives. The primary radical ·OH reacts with phenol to form ortho- and para-isomers of the Ph(OH)2· radical. The Ph(OH)2· radical eliminates a water molecule to form a phenoxyl radical PhO·. The latter disappears in the reactions with FeIII complexes, recombination, and disproportionation. The final products of photochemical transformations were determined. Among them, o-quinone and diphenoquinones were identified.