The radiation chemistry of n-propanol. Part I. Formation of the major products

Abstract

The major products of the radiolysis of pure, liquid propanol are hydrogen, propionaldehyde, and hexane-3,4 diol. The initial yields are G(H₂)= 4·4, G(EtCHO)= 2·9, and G(EtCHOH)₂= 1·5, but the hydrogen and aldehyde yields decrease with increasing dose. This effect has been shown to be due to scavenging of a precursor of hydrogen by the aldehyde. Studies with solutes have shown that hydrogen has as its precursor solvated electrons and hydrogen atoms which may be scavenged and also that part of the yield of this product is due to molecular processes. Yields and rate constants of the intermediates have been determined.