Rate constants for the reaction of the primary species of water radiolysis, viz. e aq'– , H and OH, with picolinic acid have been determined at various pHs. The semi-reduced species exhibits max at 305 and 350 nm. It is a strong reductant and has two pKa values of 1 and 5.7. The OH adduct of this compound also exhibits two pKa s at 2.1 and 5.2. H-atom reaction with picolinic acid gives rise to a mixture of species.