The reaction between pyridine and I-2 in a low-density polyethylene ( LDPE) host is investigated by FTIR vibrational spectroscopy in the mid-and far-IR regions. The investigation is supported by linear dichroism measurements on stretched LDPE samples, and by the results of quantum chemical density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations. Unlike the situation in liquid alkane solutions, pyridine and I-2 dissolved in LDPE react to form N-iodopyridinium polyiodide. The ionic reaction is particularly efficient in stretched LDPE, suggesting that the reaction cavities in the stretched polymer catalyze the formation of extended polyiodide chain structures. The spectroscopic analysis indicates that the ionic product is present in the form of a well-defined complex. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.