“Radiolity oxidation of aromatic compounds through the OH radical in aqueous solution” is a long-term project in which studies of the chemical stage of radiolysis of different aromatic compounds are conducted by using the gamma-ray source of our Institute, aided by analytic chemistry to identify and quantify radiolytic products, mainly using liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. We are currently working on the radiolysis of chlorophenols with an emphasis on their radiolytic decomposition. Another topic we are interested in is the radiolytic oxidation of naphthols and other aromatics as proof of spin polarizability.
We also study the attack of the OH radical on the ipso position in para-halophenols and other substituents different from halogens, which has barely been studied. In addition, we study the radiolytic oxidation of other aromatic compounds present in the environment. Moreover, we have collaborated with staff from the Radiation Laboratory (University of Notre Dame) for the analysis of the physiochemical state of radiolysis using a linear particle accelerator (8 MeV) to study the kinetics of intermediate species and the formation of free radicals by the interaction of the OH radical with aromatic solutes.
