Radical Pairs in Solution

Radical pairs (RPs) are important reaction intermediates generated whenever two radicals encounter one another, a bond is cleaved homolytically or electron transfer between non-radical species takes place. The concept of a radical pair as a reaction intermediate is introduced and developed through simple pictorial analogies, indicating how RP behaviour is governed by interplay of spin and spatial motion. Such analogies are then extended to describe the experimental consequences of RPs in magnetic resonance and magnetochemistry experiments, including reference to the relevance of RPs in biological systems. Finally experimental techniques by which RPs can be observed directly are introduced and described in the context of the developed models.

Free radical mechanism for the effects of environmental electromagnetic fields on biological systems

The radical pair mechanism is discussed as a possible route whereby a magnetic field of environmental strength might affect a biological system. It is well established as the origin of reproducible field effects in chemistry, and these can be observed even at very low magnetic field strengths, including that of the geomagnetic field. Here it is attempted to give a description which might assist experimentalists working in biological laboratories to devize tests of its relevance to their work. The mechanism is well understood and a specific theoretical approach is taken to explore and emphasize the importance of the lifetime of the radical pair and the precise chemical natures of the radicals which comprise it in affecting the size of the low-field effects. Further subsequent processes are likely necessary to cause this primary effect to attain biological significance. Arguments are provided to suggest that the encounters of freely diffusing pairs (F-pairs) of radicals are unlikely to produce significant effects in biology.