In the interstellar medium, UV photolysis of condensed methanol (CH3OH), contained in ice mantles surrounding dust grains, is thought to be the mechanism that drives the formation of "complex" molecules, such as methyl formate (HCOOCH3), dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3), acetic acid (CH3COOH), and glycolaldehyde (HOCH2CHO). The source of this reaction-initiating UV light is assumed to be local because ...

In this study, we use Monte Carlo track chemistry simulations to show that "dry" secondary electrons, precursors of the "hydrated" electron (e<sup>-</sup><sub>aq</sub>), can be scavenged on sub-picosecond time scale prior hydration, by a high concentration (>0.1-1 M) azide ions (N<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) in water irradiated with <sup>60&...

We present laboratory studies of the radiolysis of pure (97%) solid H2O2 films by 50 keV H+ at 17 K. Using UV-visible and infrared reflectance spectroscopies, a quartz-crystal microbalance, and a mass spectrometer, we measured the absolute concentrations of the H2O, O2, H2O2, and O3 products as a function of irradiation fluence. Ozone was identified by both UV and infrared spectroscopies and O2...

Pulse radiolysis, utilizing short pulses of high-energy electrons from accelerators, is a powerful method for rapidly generating reduced or oxidized species and other free radicals in solution. Combined with fast time-resolved spectroscopic detection (typically in the ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared), it is invaluable for monitoring the reactivity of species subjected to radiolysis on timesca...

Diphenyloxide (DPO) is one of many, rather toxic pollutants produced by combustion of fossil fuels, which are emitted to the atmosphere with flue gases and brought to ground water by rain and snow. Its decomposition is investigated by ozonolysis at room temperature and the major products like phenol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, dihydroxy-benzoic acid as well as the total yield of aldehydes and ca...

Drugs based on nitroarene, aromatic N-oxide or quinone structures are frequently reduced by cellular reductases to toxic products. Reduction often involves free radicals as intermediates which react rapidly with oxygen to form superoxide radicals, inhibiting drug reduction. The elevation of cellular oxidative stress accompanying oxygen inhibition of reduction is generally less damaging than dru...

Thin films of ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) were exposed to energetic electrons at 5.5 K to explore the radiolytic decomposition mechanisms. The effects of radiolysis were monitored on line and in situ via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the condensed phase along with electron impact ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry (EI-QMS) and single-photon photoionization reflectron...

A suite of Permian sylvite samples from Boulby potash mine, Yorkshire, UK, consistently yield traces of hydrogen upon analysis by a cold crush technique for liberating volatiles from entrapped fluid inclusions. In contrast, accompanying halite samples do not yield hydrogen. These data suggest the formation of hydrogen by radiolysis of water due to irradiation from potassium in the sylvite. The ...

A solid state radiolysis was conducted to examine the reactivity of amino acids towards high energy dose of gamma radiations. The presence of amino acids in the bulk of meteorites has raised the question of "if" and eventually "how" they could have been important in the development of life on Earth. The presence of radioactive elements in Solar System bodies could have played a crucial role in ...