Radical-mediated proton transfer enables hydroxyl radical formation in charge-delocalized water
Ruijuan Zhao, Qiuyue Zhang, Na Yang, Lei Li, Zhenyu Li, Chunhua Cui
Abstract
O intermediates under ambient conditions. Our findings extend beyond the Grotthuss framework, proposing a mechanism driven by hydrogen bond imbalance and charge delocalization that spontaneously generates ˙OH in acidic environments. This work advances the understanding of proton transfer in water and has implications for acid-induced reactions, electrochemical processes, and degradation mechanisms in energy technologies.
Topics & Concepts
Delocalized electronHydroxyl radicalChemistryProtonPhotochemistryCharge (physics)Radical ionRadicalOrganic chemistryPhysicsIonQuantum mechanicsPhotochemistry and Electron Transfer StudiesRadical Photochemical ReactionsSpectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies