An Electron Spin Resonance Study of Gamma-Irradiated 5,6-Dihydropyrimidines

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra are observed from gamma-irradiated, poly-crystalline samples of 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5,6-dihydro-5-methyluracil, and 5,6-dihydro-6-methyluracll. The spectra indicate that the radiation-induced free radicals are formed by the loss of hydrogen atoms from the parent compounds. The crystal structure of the dihydropyrimidines is apparently such that there is a proton near the unpaired electron which can simultaneously flip with the flip of the unpaired electron resulting in the formation of satellite lines relative to the main spectral lines. Annealing the irradiated samples at 100°C produces a decrease in the radical content of all compounds except in dihydro-5-methyluracll where the radical content increases. These differences are discussed in terms of the close proximity of the radicals formed during irradiation of dihydro-5-methyluracil. The