In situ generation and detection of methyl radical by voltammetry

In persulfate-acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide or tert-butyl alcohol systems, in situ generation and detection of methyl free radical are realized with voltammetry. It includes the following successive processes. The persulfate S2O82 is polarographically reduced via one-electron addition to sulfate radical SO4, the SO4 initiates chain reaction with acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, or tert-butyl alcohol on the electrode surface to produce a methyl radical, and one-electron reduction of the methyl radical yields its polarographic reduction wave. In comparison with the known techniques such as ultraviolet radiolysis coupling with electron spin resonance, etc., the proposed method is simple, sensitive and selective.