There has been increased interest in hydrated electron (eaq–) for its use in chemical synthesis, as a reductant in natural aquatic systems, and as a reactive species in water treatment technologies. Recent laboratory studies have assessed the ability of eaq– to degrade inorganic and organic contaminants, including oxyanions, selenium, vinyl chloride, and, more recently, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Much of the work in this area has employed eaq– sensitizers activated by UV light (e.g., sulfite, iodide) from a low-pressure mercury lamp. Despite the growing interest in this technology, results from these individual studies are not readily comparable due in part to the lack of standardized method for quantifying the photoactive species, eaq–. This study presents a method for quantifying eaq– in steady-state irradiation experiments using quinine as a probe compound. The relevant physicochemical data for quinine were determined including spectral properties, direct photolysis quantum yield, and second-order rate constant with eaq–. The utility of quinine is tested by measuring eaq– steady-state concentrations, [eaq–]ss, under a variety of conditions typically encountered in engineering applications and comparing these values to those calculated from kinetic modeling. Taken as a whole, our results are supportive of quinine as a probe compound for eaq–, which will aid in the development of engineering technologies for the degradation of recalcitrant contaminants.

Development of quinine as a fluorescent probe compound for quantifying hydrated electron

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.