The oxidation of phenolic compounds is one of the most important reactions prevalent in various biological processes, but quantitative descriptions and molecular-level understanding of these proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions have been challenging. Here, the authors use photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy to directly observe PCET in hydrogen-bonded phenolic nitrate complexes, in which a much slower rising edge provides a spectroscopic signature to evidence PCET
- Qinqin Yuan
- Ziheng Zhang
- Xue-Bin Wang
