[en] In the present paper the radiation chemistry of aqueous solutions is reviewed. Areas of active research are pointed out and an attempt is made to assess future research trends in this field. Special emphasis is laid on fundamental aspects, rather than on technical applications. Thus the versatility of the pulse radiolysis technique is briefly described. The primary process occurring in the radiolysis of water are presented and techniques for converting the primary water radicals into radicals of interest are discussed. Special chapters deal with peroxyl radicals, as well as with the free radical chemistry of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and sulfur compounds. Studies on unusual oxidation states of transition metal ions are briefly mentioned. (author). 152 refs, 1 tab