The one electron reduction of iodine by various 1-hydroyalkyl radicals in aqueous solution is described, which leads first to the formation of I-2(-), and to I- at longer times. Rate constants of 5 x 10(9), 6.5 x 10(9), or 8 x 10(9) dm(3) mol(-1), s(-1) were obtained for the reaction between iodine and the radical of methanol, ethanol or 2-propanol, respectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.