60Co-gamma radiolysis of the trisoxalato cobalt(III) ions in deoxygenated neutral aqueous solution

Radiolysis of the trisoxalato cobalt(III) ions in deoxygenated neutral aqueous medium have been undertaken at low and high doses. At low doses, the rate of radiolysis is independent of the concentration of the complex ion in the range 3.24 x 10-3 to 10-2 mol dm-3 and is enhanced by the addition of free oxalate ions. On prolonged irradiation, the rate of degradation gradually increases. Initially H and e-sub(aq) reduces the complex ion, but at later stages, oxalate ion radical C2O4sup(.1-), produced by the interaction of OH radicals with the generated C2O42- ions during the radiolysis, also reduce the [Co(C2O4)3]3- ions. (author)