Rate constants for reactions of SO4˙− radicals in acetonitrile

Rate constants have been measured for the reactions of the sulfate radical, SO₄^˙?, with alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, ethers, and amines in 95% acetonitrile solution. The rate constants were in the range of 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1 for the abstraction reactions and 10⁷?10⁹ L mol^?1 s^?1 for the addition and electron transfer reactions. These values are 20 to 80 times lower than those measured in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the rate constants for the reactions of SO₄^˙? with the primary alcohols increase with the number of carbon atoms and then level off, in contrast to the behavior observed in aqueous solution, where the rate constant increases more sharply for the larger alcohols. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.