The Detection of Alkoxy and Other Radicals in the Gamma Radiolysis of Alcohols by an Electron Spin Resonance and Spin Trapping Method

Abstract

The radicals produced during γ radiolysis of methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and t-butanol have been trapped by reaction with 2-nitroso-2-methylpropane (t-nitrosobutane) to give nitroxides which are detected by e.s.r.[Formula: see text]All the alcohols gave alkoxy radicals and, with the exception of t-butanol, radicals derived by the loss of an H atom from the carbon atom adjacent to the OH group. Methyl radicals were detected in t-butanol.