Radical production evidenced by dimer analysis in γ-irradiated amides in aqueous solutions and in the solid state

Abstract

A study of the nature and distribution of radicals produced by the radiolysis of amides in the solid state has been made by two complementary methods: (i) final product analysis by capillary gas chromatography and (ii) the direct observation of radicals by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The dimer isomer distribution for N-methylformamide (NMF), N-methylacetamide (NMA) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) allows one to estimate the parent radical distribution by using a statistical rule for dimer formation. In the solid state the radiolytic formation of radicals is selective. Final product analysis by capillary gas chromatography and the direct study of radicals by pulse radiolysis are also complementary methods for studying the nature of radicals produced from the radiolysis of amides in aqueous solutions. The selective production of one parent radical is characteristic of dilute solutions.