CARBOXYLATIONS EFFECTED BY IONIZING RADIATION

Irradiation of a mixture of a hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide with high- energy electrons gives carboxylic acids. For instance, toluene is converted to phenylacetic acid. The radiation energy is used inefficiently (G = 0.01 - 0.1). Formic acid can be used in place of carbon dioxide to obtain carboxylic acids. Irradiation of a mixture of a hydrocarbon and hydrogen cyanide leads to nitriles. (auth)