the solvated electron

A solvated electron is an electron that is surrounded by molecules in a solvent, typically water. When a molecule loses an electron, that electron can become "solvated," meaning it interacts closely with the surrounding molecules, which stabilize it. This creates a temporary state where the electron is not free but is still able to move within the liquid. Solvated electrons are important in various chemical processes, such as in radiation chemistry and photochemistry, where they can initiate reactions by promoting changes in other molecules.