Reaction rate constants for the reactions of 3-pyridinol with oxidizing radicals viz. OH, N3, Br 2– , Cl 2– , SO 4– and O– have been determined in aqueous solutions at different, pH's. Absorption spectra of the product transient species have been recorded in the 320–600 nm region. In the alkaline region (pH 13) the N3 reaction product decays in two steps and O– does not bring about one-electron oxidation. Similarly, at neutral pH, SO 4– does not cause selective one-electron oxidation of 3-pyridinol.