Radiolysis of simple quaternary ammonium salt components of Amberlite resin

The radiation chemical yields of gaseous products, H2 and CH4, in the radiolysis of dry methylammonium chloride, dimethylammonium chloride, trimethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride and benzyl trimethylammonium chloride by γ-rays and 5 MeV helium ions have been investigated. Some of these amines are the different components of the quaternary ammonium resin Amberlite, which is a strongly basic anion exchange resin based on a polystyrene divinylbenzene copolymer. Molecular hydrogen yields with γ-radiolysis range from a high of 4.43 molecules per 100 eV for trimethylammonium chloride to 0.07 and 0.05 molecules per 100 eV for tetramethylammonium chloride and benzyl trimethylammonium chloride, respectively. Yields of methane gas are generally negligible except for trimethylammonium chloride and tetramethylammonium chloride, 0.26 and 0.02 molecules per 100 eV, respectively. Isotopic labeling studies suggest that the first step in H2 production is the breakage of the NH bond followed by abstraction of H atom from the methyl groups. EPR analysis shows the formation of both N and C centered radicals. A comparison is made between the radiolysis of Amberlite and its various components.