The effects of ascorbic acid on homolytic processes involving alpha-hydroxyl-containing carbon-centered radicals. 
Effects of ascorbic acid and 5,6-O-isopropylidene-2,3-O-dimethylascorbic acid on final product formation in radiolysis of ethanol, aqueous solutions of ethanol, ethylene glycol, alpha-methylglycoside, maltose, alpha-glycerophosphate, and alpha-glucose phosphate were studied.  It was found that ascorbic acid is able to suppress reactions involving various alpha-hydroxyl-containing carbon-centered radicals and depending on the experimental conditions can either oxidize or reduce alpha-hydroxyethyl radicals.