Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The one‐step synthesis of <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C‐methyl(acetoxymethyl)nitrosamine (<jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C‐DMN‐OAc) of high specific activity is described. The product was shown to decompose by hydrolysis, as reported previously for the unlabelled material, and by self‐radiolysis, a process which occurred even in methylene chloride solution at high specific activities. Both modes of decomposition led to disappearance of label from the solution, at least partly by sorption to the glass storage vessel. Thin‐layer chromatography proved less suitable for resolving the decomposition products than radio‐gas chromatography. Labelled carbon atoms were found to the extent of only 1% in the formaldehyde produced on esterase hydrolysis of <jats:sup>14</jats:sup>C‐DMN‐OAc, showing that scrambling during the synthesis was not extensive. Storage of aqueous solutions for biological work was best accomplished in frozen aqueous solutions of pH 5.5.</jats:p>