Low temperature pulse radiolysis in organic glasses

Electron pulse radiolysis experiments on the aromatic olefins styrene, 1-methylstyrene and 1,1-diphenylethylene in organic solvents forming glassy matrices at temperatures near that of liquid nitrogen are described. The detection of the generated transients is carried out by optical absorption spectroscopy in the region from 300 to 1100 nm. Formation and decay reactions are studied at temperatures from 90 to 130 K. The prefered solvents are i- or s-butylchloride and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran for the investigation of cationic or anionic species, respectively. It is shown that the reactions depend on the olefin concentration, the kind and the temperature of the matrix. Simplified reaction mechanisms are discussed. (orig.)