EPR spectra of irradiated dicarboxylic acids

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of dicarboxylic acid STA(CH/sub 2/)/sub n/(CCOH)/sub 2/ with n = 1.2... 8! irradiated by 1.6Mev electrons were investigated at -- 130 deg C and room temperature. The EPR spectra of irradiated monocrystals of succinic acid and deuterated succinic acid in carboxylic acid were also analyzed in order to determine the nature of their radicals. Radiation yields of radicals gaseous prcducts of succinic acid radiolysis were determined. The analysis shows that starting with n = 2 the appearance of the EPR spectra dces not vary. At --130 deg C the spectrum consists of a doublet with DELTA H approx equal 26 - 30e, at room temperature it has two doublets ( DELTA H/sub 1/ approx equal 40 e, deg H/sub 2/ approx equal 70 to 90 e) and single lines with g = 2.00. The correlation of EPR spectra with gas evolution data indicates radiation disintegration of the carboxylic group. (R.V.J.)