hydrated electron

A hydrated electron is a free electron in water, stabilized and surrounded by a cluster of water molecules. When certain substances dissolve in water, they can release electrons that don't immediately combine with other ions or molecules. These free electrons become trapped within the arrangement of nearby water molecules, forming a temporary and unique state known as a hydrated electron. This entity influences water's electrical properties and plays a role in processes like radiation chemistry and oxidative reactions. Essentially, it’s an electron “dissolved” in water, held in place by the water molecules around it.