Abstract

The superoxide radical spin adduct of the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide was found to be relatively unstable in aqueous solution. The half-life of the electron spin resonance signal is approximately 80 sec at pH 6 and only about 35 sec at pH 8. These observations as well as the possible reaction products of O2• that may develop in the time course of an experiment, must be considered when planning or interpreting data from a spin trapping experiment.