PRECURSORS OF DIBUTYLPHOSPHORIC ACID UPON RADIOLYSIS OF TRIBUTYL-PHOSPHATE

The rate constant for the reaction of solvated electrons (e(s)) with 4 -methylpentanone-2 (4-MP-2) in tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) was measure d by a pulse-radiolysis technique. It was also found that the yield of butyl radicals formed upon TBP radiolysis decreases in the presence o f 4-MP-2. Analysis of the literature data using the reaction rate cons tant obtained showed that the inhibition of the formation of dibutylph osphoric acid is, probably, in large measure due to the effective capt ure of e(s) by 4-MP-2.