Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The effect of pH and temperature on the stability of tritium atoms at various positions in purines, pyrimidines, nucleosides and nucleotides is discussed. The importance of recognizing several types of instability is stressed.</jats:p><jats:p>The formation of a hydrate on storing solutions of tritiated uridine and other results of the self‐radiolysis of tritiated precursors of the nucleic acids are described. Alcohol solutions and low temperatures are recommended for minimising self‐decomposition.</jats:p>