Destruction of amino alcohols and their derivatives on radiolysis and photolysis in aqueous solutions

• C–N or C–C bonds destruction occurs under radiolysis of amino alcohols.
• C-centered radicals of amino alcohols are responsible for rupture of C–N bonds.
• N-centered radicals of amino alcohols are responsible for rupture of C–C bonds.
• Photo-induced decomposition of amido alcohols can lead to their C–C destruction.

Destruction involving either C–N or C–C bonds was shown to be the characteristic feature of radiation-induced transformations of amino alcohols and their derivatives in aqueous solutions. Based on the effects of the substrate structure, pH of the medium and the presence of oxygen or cysteine in the reaction system on the final product yields, a conclusion has been made that the radical species formed from the starting compounds during radiolysis or photolysis manifested different behaviour: carbon-centered radicals decomposed mainly via rupture of C–N bonds, whereas the C–C destruction pathway was realized for nitrogen-centered radicals.