Radiation-Induced Dehydration and Destruction of 1,2-Propanediol, 1,2-Butanediol, and 2,3-Butanediol in Deaerated Aqueous Solutions

The γ-radiation-induced transformations of α-diols in deaerated aqueous solutions at pH 7 have been studied. The composition and radiation-chemical yields of the main products of their radiolysis were determined. It has been established that dehydration by a chain mechanism is a characteristic process for α‑diols with terminal positions of hydroxyl groups (1,2-propanediol and 1,2-butanediol). In the radiolysis of an α-diol with the central arrangement of hydroxyl groups (2,3-butanediol), chain processes did not occur: dehydration and destruction of the diol via C–C bond scission occurred with approximately equal probabilities. The observed effects were explained, and the importance of the obtained results for studying the mechanisms of free-radical fragmentation reactions of hydroxyl-containing biomolecules induced by ionizing radiation was stated.