Pulse radiolytic and product analysis studies of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with cinnamic acid. The relative extent of addition to the ring and side chain

Using pulse radiolysis with optical detection and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPCL), it has been shown that reaction of OH radicals with cinnamic acid (CA in aqueous solutions leads to addition to both the ring and the olefinic group. The relative extent of the above two pathways was estimated as 3:7, respectively. Benzyl- and hydroxycyclohexadienyl-type radicals were observed with absorption maxima at 320 (310) and 370 (365) nm depending on the pH of the solution. In the pH region 4.9 to 5.7 the absorption at 305 to 315 nm decays during the first 5 ..mu..s after the pulse. The dependence of the rate constants and absorption spectra on pH suggests that this decay is due to an equilibration process between acid-base forms of benzyl-type radicals formed through OH addition to te olefinic group.