ESR and ENDOR studies of DL-serine irradiated at 4.2 °K

Abstract

The primary products formed by ionizing radiation in single crystals of DL-serine were studied by ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy. The crystals were maintained at 4.2 °K during irradiation and measurement. The primary reduction product is formed by the addition of an electron to the carbonyl oxygen of the carboxyl group. The primary oxidation product is a radical resulting from decarboxylation. A third product is a radical formed from serine by removal of hydrogen from the hydroxy group.