Pulse radiolysis of nucleic acids and their base constituents: an updating review

The pulse radiolysis technique has provided considerable insight into the mechanism of the free-radical chemistry of nucleic acids and their base constituents. The paper reports our present state of knowledge. It comprises the following topics: 1. Introduction. 2. The radiolysis of water and the selection of specific radicals. 3. The reactions of H+ and OH-. 4. The reactions of the solvated electron. 5. The reactions of the H atom. 6. The reactions of the OH radical. 7. The reactions of inorganic radicals. 8. Halogenated compounds. 9. The effect of oxygen. The reactions of peroxyl radicals. 10. The reactions of radiation sensitizers and protectors with base radicals. 11. Nucleic acids. (author)