Radiolysis of carboxylic compounds. Part 2.—Radiolysis of liquid acetic acid

Analysis of the stable products of γ radiolysis of liquid CH3COOH, carried out earlier, has been completed by determination of biacetyl and water yields. A transient absorption spectrum fouud during pulse radiolysis experiments has been ascribed to the CH3ĊO radical by comparison with a similar observation for concentrated aqueous solutions of CH3COOH. Under pulse radiolysis conditions (0.5–15 krad pulse–1) the ĊCH2COOH radical was not observed. The yields of primary species, i.e., cation and anion radicals, are estimated by applying a steady state kinetic treatment. A reaction mechanism for the radiolysis of liquid CH3COOH is proposed.