[The mechanism of the radioprotective action of sulfolane]

As a result of radiolysis of sulfolane, that has a radioprotective action, sulfonyl anion-radicals and hydrosulfonyl radicals are produced, subsequent transformations of which lead to complete regeneration of sulfolane. On the other hand, some other five-membered cyclic sulfones, that have no radioprotective action, are irreversibly depleted in reactions with water radiolysis products. Sulfolane is suggested to protect from the effect of e(-)aq and H. and to be ineffective in protecting against OH. radicals.