Simple technique makes it easier to access and exploit hydrogen radicals

Set-up

Source: © 2026 Nils J Flodén et al

Highly reactive hydrogen radicals generated using ultraviolet light and off-the-shelf reagents

A new technique produces hydrogen radicals using mild conditions and off-the-shelf reagents. The method eliminates the harsh conditions that have previously been required to generate these extremely reactive species, making them much easier for scientists to use and exploit. ‘Any chemist could run it,’ says project leader Roopender Kumar from University College London, UK.