Radiolysis and photolysis studies on active transient species of diethylstilbestrol

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is one of the most active estrogens in the environment. In this paper pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis studies were carried out to investigate mechanisms and dynamic characteristics of the transient species of DES produced by UV light and electron beam irradiations. The double bond between the benzene rings was supposed to be the most sensitive site attacked by hydroxyl radicals under high-energy electron beam irradiations. In laser flash photolysis DES was found to be either photoionized or excited by 248 nm laser to produce deprotonated radical cations and excited triplet states. It was found that DES could be degraded completely in oxygen-saturated aqueous solution under the UV lights. All the active species produced in pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis can cause environmental biologic effects. The work on degradation mechanisms of DES can be of help in finding ways to tackle the environmental DES problems.