On the nature of macroradicals formed upon radiolysis of aqueous poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) solutions

In this work we have explored the nature of macroradicals formed upon radiolysis of aqueous poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) solutions using pulse radiolysis, density functional theory (DFT) and literature data. On the basis of literature data on site-specific kinetics of hydrogen abstraction from simple amides and spectra corresponding to specific radical sites on the same amides we have assessed the distribution of H-atom abstraction by `OH radicals from different positions on the pyrrolidone ring and the polymer backbone. Pulse radiolysis experiments performed at different doses per pulse and different PVP concentrations demonstrate that the H-abstracting radiolysis products are not quanti…