Further studies on the solid-state chemistry of irradiated choline chloride

The remarkable radiation sensitivity of crystalline choline chloride has been investigated by studies of infrared and ESR spectra, photochemical transformation of radicals, microwave electrodeless conductivity, and exposure to hydrogen atoms, vacuum ultraviolet, and thermal electrons. These studies lend support to the involvement of both ethanol radicals and electrons in the chain decomposition. They also show that hydrogen atoms can induce the decomposition. These observations indicate that during subsequent thermal treatment of γ-irradiated choline chloride, the detrapped electrons interact with ethanol radicals to form hydrogen atoms, which propagate the chain decomposition.