Аннотация:Alkyl salicylates are capable of selectively extracting lithium from solutions of various origins. This paper examines the radiation resistance of alkyl salicylates. The initial yield of radiolytic degradation of methyl salicylate (MS) and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) is 100 and 166 nmol J−1, while the total yield of products is 105 and 236 nmol J−1, respectively. Radiolysis of MS produces predominantly methyl adducts to the benzene ring, while radiolysis of EHS produces aliphatic hydrocarbons. In both salicylates, the position of the OH group changes or a second OH group appears. Degradation of the carboxyl group and elimination of CO in EHS occurs much more efficiently. The main oxygen-containing product in MS is salicylic acid, and in EHS it is 2-ethylhecanol-1. Dimers in MS contain predominantly C–C bridges between benzene rings, while in EHS they contain bridges between alkyl groups.