On the use of the electron spin resonance-flow technique in the study of short-lived radicals

The use of double mixing in the study of a mixture of alcohol radicals by means of H₂O₂ + Ti^III redox system is shown to be superfluous. The ratio of the concentrations of two such radicals is found to be independent of the order of introduction of the parent alcohols to the system. The ratio of radical concentrations is determined by simple competition of the alcohols for the primary OH radicals but side reactions and differences in recombination rates are shown to influence considerably the ratio of the observed radical concentrations. Limitations on mechanistic conclusions and kinetic studies of such systems are discussed.