We report a series of substituted biphenyl 2-carboxylic acid probes for the measurement of photochemically generated one-electron oxidants in aqueous systems containing dissolved organic matter (DOM). In the presence of hydroxyl radical, the probes are hydroxylated and undergo cyclization to form fluorescent benzocoumarin products. Varying the substituent on the biphenyl affects the rate of formation and yield of benzocoumarin product. The probes also display reactivity toward organic photoredox catalysts, but this reactivity appears to be less sensitive to substituent effects. By subjecting a mixture of these probes to DOM photolysis and analyzing the distribution of products, we can begin to assess the contribution of hydroxyl radical relative to other photochemical oxidation processes that may occur in sunlit waters.

Fluorescent molecular probes for detection of one-electron oxidants generated photochemically by dissolved organic matter

251st National Meeting (2016)

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