Reactivity and Applications
The solvated electron reacts with oxygen to form a superoxide radical (O2.-), which is a potent oxidant. With nitrous oxide, solvated electrons react to form hydroxyl radicals (HO.). The solvated electrons can be scavenged from both aqueous and organic systems with nitrobenzene or sulfur hexafluoride.
A common use of sodium dissolved in liquid ammonia is the Birch reduction. Other reactions where sodium is used as a reducing agent also are assumed to involve solvated electrons, e.g. the use of sodium in ethanol as in the Bouveault–Blanc reduction.
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