Reactor radiolysis of succinic acid

Abstract

The radiolysis of solid succinic acid in a nuclear reactor has been examined. Carbon dioxide, succinic semialdehyde, propionic acid and water are the main products of the decomposition. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, acetic, formic and adipic acids are formed with smaller yields; the presence of hydroxyacids and of a polymer among the decomposition products was also proved. On the basis of the yields of the products, a mechanism for the radiolysis of solid succinic acid with reactor radiation is proposed.