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ESR Spectrum and Structure of the Formyl Radical

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1732794· OSTI ID:4782332
Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the formyl radical (HCO) and deuterated radical (DCO) were observed in solid carbon monoxide over the temperature range 4.2 to 30 deg K. The observed line shapes were temperature dependent, but the cause of the temperature dependence was not definitely determined. The radical was produced by the reaction of CO with hydrogen atoms produced by the photolytic decomposition of HI. The radical was also produced by the photolytic decomposition of formaldehyde in solid argon, and it was iound to be one of the products of the photolysis of methyl alcohol in solid argon. The most striking feature of the ESR spectrum of HCO is the very large proton hyperfine splitting (137 gauss). Also the lines were broad and unsymmetrical with the linewidth varying from one hyperfine component to the next. It was shown that the line shapes were due to the combination of a rather pronounced anisotropy in the electronic g factor with a smaller anisotropy in the proton hyperfine interaction. These characteristics of the radical gave a good deal of information about its structure which supported the conclusion of others that the formyl radical is not a pi -electron radical. (auth)
Research Organization:
Johns Hopkins Univ., Silver Spring, Md.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-16-016359
OSTI ID:
4782332
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 36; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English