Effects of γ-Irradiation on Benzyl Thiocyanate and Isothiocyanate

Abstract

The effects of⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation on benzyl thiocyanate (BTC) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT) have been investigated by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The degradation of BTC were 8.8%, 17.4% and 29.3% and those of BIT were 4.7%, 12.7% and 16.2% for the irradiation with 1.1×10⁸rad, 2.0×10⁸rad and 3.1×10⁸rad, respectively. γ-Induced isomerization was observed in both BTC and BIT. In the case of 3.1×10⁸rad irradiation isomerization yield of BIT from BTC was 8.3% and that of BTC from BIT was 1.7%, respectively. Benzene, toluene, benzyl mercaptan, benzyl cyanide, dibenzyl, dibenzyl sulfide and dibenzyl disulfide were identified and determined, among radiolysis products of BTC and BIT. On the other hand, the presence of trimer in both irradiated samples was identified by mass spectrometry.