Ethereal Electrons

Abstract

Solutions of K, Rb, and Cs in dimethoxyethane consist primarily of metal cations and anions. The latter are ionized by light at wavelengths between 700 and 1000 nm to yield solvated electrons. Electron recombination occurs by a second‐order mechanism involving an M·species, and rate constants have been estimated from ESR data. Photoelectrons emitted from Rb⁻ are highly polarized, and an explanation combining spin–orbit and exchange interactions with an adiabatic dissociation is proposed.