Reactions of alkyl peroxyl radicals with metal nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

Methyl-peroxyl radicals react with Au ⁰ and Ag ⁰ nanoparticles (NPs) in aqueous suspensions in fast reaction with rate constants which approach the diffusion-controlled limit. The transients thus formed decompose via heterolysis of the O-O bond resulting in the oxidation of the NPs and formation of methanol.