Radiation chemical reactions of (OH)-O-., O.-, and SO4.- with benzaldehyde, acetophenone, and benzophenone have been studied using both pulse and steady-state radiolysis techniques. The observed rates for the (OH)-O-. addition (k = (2.6-8.8) x 10(9) M-1 s(-1)) are higher than those found for the SO4.- reaction (k = (0.7-4.0) x 10(9) M-1 s(-1)). The rate for the reaction of O.- with benzaldehyde is higher than that found for (OH)-O-., while a reverse trend is observed in the case of the two ketones. Optical absorption spectra of the intermediate transients formed in the reactions of (OH)-O-. and SO4.- with all three compounds are similar with a peak around 370-380 nm. The absorption spectra from the O.- reaction have shown a major peak at 310 nm and are somewhat different from those obtained in the reaction of (OH)-O-.. The yields of the phenolic products formed in the reaction of (OH)-O-. with benzaldehyde and acetophenone in the presence of 0.1 mM ferricyanide corresponded to only 30% and 50% (OH)-O-. yields, respectively. Benzoic acid is a major product formed with benzaldehyde in the reaction of (OH)-O-. as well as SO4.- with G values of 2.1 and 1.3 per 100 eV, respectively. The formation of the exocyclic OH adduct is a major pathway in the reactions of (OH)-O-. (by addition) and of SO4.- from hydrolysis of the initially formed radical cation (k = 2.4 x 10(4) s(-1)) with benzaldehyde. The exocyclic OH adduct undergoes disproportionation to give benzoic acid. The formation of the exocyclic OH adduct of acetophenone is possibly hindered owing to the bulky -COCH3 group.