Reaction of Methyl Radicals with Metal Powders Immersed in Aqueous Solutions

Methyl radicals radiolytically produced in aqueous solutions react efficiently with Cr⁰, Mn⁰, Fe⁰, Ni ⁰, Cu⁰ and Zn⁰ powders immersed in the solution. The Cr⁰, Mn⁰, Fe⁰, Ni⁰ and Zn⁰ powders reduce the radicals to form methane. On the other hand the Cu⁰ powder seems to oxidize the radicals. Surprisingly a part of the energy absorbed by the Cr⁰, Fe⁰, Ni ⁰ and Zn⁰ powders is transferred to the aqueous solution, thus increasing the radical yield. CH₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₆ and C₃H ₈ are formed when an aqueous deaerated buffer solution, pH 4-5, is added to powders of analytical iron, zinc, manganese and chromium. The source of these gases is carbon traces present, as atoms or atom clusters, in the "analytical" metal powders. These carbon atoms, when present on the surface of the metals, are reduced by the metal particles in aqueous solutions. This mechanism might be the source of light alkanes and alkenes in the prebiotic era.