The Effect of Radiation on Compounds Related to Carbohydrates

Alcohols have been irradiated in the pure state and in aqueous solution, and it is therefore necessary to consider the two cases independently. 

The 1-hydroxyethyl radical may be further oxidized, to form aldehydes from primary alcohols, and ketones from secondary alcohols. The only tertiary alcohol to he studied in detail gave the corresponding ketone on irradiation. 

However, deuterium also appears in the radiolytic gas when CH3CH2OD is irradiated. This suggests, as a secondary process, the following. 

The CH8CH20 radicals disproportionate to give acetaldehyde and ethanol. 

The indirect action of radiation on aqueous alcohol leads to changes which are broadly similar in pattern to the direct-action effects described for pure alcohols. Hydrogen, aldehydes, glycols, and acids are formed in general, although it has not been established that acids are primary products.  

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