Hydrated electrons (e
aq–
) formed in water radiolysis react with ethyl propionate with a rate parameter of 7.5×107 mol–1 dm3 s–1. The electron adduct in acidic solutions immediately (<100 ns) dissociates, yielding CH3CH2C=0 radical. This process in alkaline solutions is slower, k=1.4×105 s–1. The hydroxyl radicals abstract H atoms in about 50% from the -position of propionate.