Chemical effects induced by γ-irradiation in solid and in aqueous methanol solutions of 4-iodophenol

Abstract

The present work is a study on radiolyses of 4-iodophenol in aqueous methanol solutions. The radio-lysis products are separated and identified using spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. The radiolytic products (I₂, I⁻ and ) formed in aerated solutions at room temperature were identified and the yields are investigated as a function of absorbed γ-ray dose. The formation of I₂ is mainly dependent on the acidity of solution and produced via the pathway of secondary free radical reactions. Aromatic products of lower and higher molecular weight than the corresponding investigated compound were analysed and separated by HPLC. The results have been discussed in view of mechanisms based on free radicals and ion-molecule interactions. The chemical effects induced by γ-irradiation in solid 4-iodophenol have also been investigated and the degradation products were identified in solid state by NMR, GC/MS experiments and HPLC after dissolution in aqueous methanol. The results were evaluated and compared with radiolysis data.

Keywords:

• γ-irradiation
• Solid 4-iodophenol
• Radiolysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank SABIC for financial support. Thanks are also due to Dr. M. Y. Siddiqi for recording the GC/MS spectra and his assistance in the experimental work.