Electron affinity in solution

A similar pattern is obtained if the hydration energies of the ions are subtracted, to give the corresponding electron-affinities in solution. 

In principle, the direction of electron transfer between two organic molecules indicates, qualitatively, the relative order of electron affinities. In this respect, pulse radiolysis studies using electron acceptors whose formal reduction potential can be determined electrochemically and by other techniques, should be useful as reference standards. This would facilitate quantitative evaluation of relative electron affinities in solution. 

Measurement of the equilibrium constants for such processes allows one to estimate the relative electron affinities (in solution) of different aromatic compounds. Measurements of this kind for the equilibria between benzene and various monoalkyl and dialkyl benzenes, i.e.. 

---