The primary processes in the photochemistry of Fe(III) complexes with carboxylic acids (glyoxalic, tartaric, pyruvic and lactic) were studied by means of laser flash photolysis. The inner-sphere electron transfer with the formation of Fe(II) complex and an escape of an organic radical to the solution bulk was shown to be a minor channel of the photolysis. The main channel was proposed to be the formation of a long-lived radical complex [Fe^II ⋯˙OOC-R]²⁺. Spectral and kinetic parameters of the radical complexes are determined.

Experiments on laser flash photolysis (308 nm) of Fe(OH)²⁺(aq) complex in aqueous solution with addition of nitrobenzene demonstrate the formation of hydroxyl radical in the primary photochemical process.