Pulse radiolysis of cyclopentane in aqueous solutions

The spectra and decay kinetics of C₅H₉ (C₅H₁₀ represents cyclopentane) and C₅H₉O₂ radicals have been studied. These radicals were generated in aqueous solutions containing cyclopentane and N₂O in the presence and in the absence of O₂. The optical absorption of C₅H₉O₂ has a peak at 270 nm, ε 1450 ± 150 M^-1 cm^-1. The following reaction rate constants have been measured: k(C₅H₉O₂ + C₅H₉O₂) = (1.2 ± 0.15) × 10⁷ M^-1 sec^-1, k(C₅H₉ + C₅H₉) = (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10⁹ M^-1 sec^-1, k(C₅H₉ + O₂) = (4.9 ± 0.6) × 10⁹ M^-1 sec^-1, and k(OH + C₅H₁₀) = (4.9 ± 0.7) × 10⁹ M^-1 sec^-1. Neither C₅H₉ nor C₅H₉O₂ transfer electrons to tetranitromethane. C₅H₉O₂ does not decompose to produce O₂^-.