The rate constants of carbonate radical anion (CO3-) reaction with organic molecules, mainly of environmental interest, were collected from the literature and structure effects were discussed together with methods of rate constant determination and reaction mechanisms. These rate constants are essential for modelling chemical processes taking place with participation of reactive radicals in the environment determining the persistence of certain toxic compounds. The rate constants span over a very wide range from 102 to 109 mol-1 dm3 s-1, but, even the highest values are smaller by a factor of 2-5 as the diffusion controlled limit. This survey shows that only those molecules have high rate constants in the 107-109 mol-1 dm3 s-1 range which have special electron rich part(s). These molecules are removed selectively in CO3- reactions. Such electron rich moiety is the NH2 group attached to an aromatic ring. High vales were measured e.g., for most of anilines or the sulfonamide antibiotics. -CO group attached to the N-atom (in acetanilides and in phenylurea herbicides), or strong electron withdrawing substituents on benzene ring strongly decrease the rate constant. High values were also measured for aromatic molecules with dissociated -OH group (O-, phenoxides). The thioether group (e.g., in amino acids, or in fenthion or phorate insecticides) also activates the molecules in CO3- reactions.

Rate coefficients (k_•OH) of hydroxyl radical + antibiotic molecule reactions (c.a. 200 k_•OH values for 70 molecules) were collected from published studies. Data measured in different laboratories, occasionally by different methods, were compared. Excluding the rate coefficients with values above the diffusion controlled limit and adjusting rate coefficients determined by competition kinetics, the data were averaged and the most probable values were selected. Rate coefficients for compounds with aromatic rings (e.g., amoxicillin) or conjugated double bonds (e.g., tylosin) are in the (6 – 8) × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ range. The basic reaction is radical addition. The value may be smaller when strong electron withdrawing substituent, like –NO₂ is attached to the ring, and N-atoms in the aromatic ring also reduce the rate coefficient. The rate coefficients for molecules without aromatic rings are smaller with values in the (3 – 6) × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ range, where hydrogen abstraction reactions dominate. Carefully executed pulse radiolysis and steady-state experiments (with correct reference values) give similar rate coefficients.

Lead is a particularly toxic heavy metal that is present above acceptable levels in the water of many countries. This article describes a quick detection method of lead(II) ions using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based ion-selective membrane electrode containing an acridono-crown ether ionophore by potentiometry. The electrochemical cell exhibits a Nernstian response for lead(II) ions between the concentration range of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² M, and can be used in the pH range of 4–7. The applicability of this sensor was verified by measuring a multicomponent aqueous sample. Under the given conditions, this electrode is suitable for the selective quantitative analysis of lead(II) ions in the presence of many additional metal ions.