Studies of radiation-produced radicals and radical ions. Progress report, June 1, 1981-August 31, 1982

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6847003

Williams, T F

The discovery and characterization of novel radical ions produced by the ..gamma.. irradiation of solids continues to be a fertile field for investigation. This Progress Report describes the generation and ESR identification of several new paramagnetic species, some of which have long been sought as important intermediates in radiation chemistry. We have also contributed to a general theoretical problem in ESR spectroscopy. Solid-state studies of electron attachment reactions, both non-dissociative and dissociative, reveal interesting structural and chemical information about the molecular nature of these processes for simple compounds. In particular, ESR measurements of the spin distribution in the products allow a fairly sharp distinction to be drawn between radical anions and radical-anion pairs or adducts. Dimer radical anion formation can also take place but the crystal structure plays a role in this process, as expected. Some radical anions undergo photolysis to give radical-anion pairs which may then revert back to the original radical anion by a thermal reaction. The chemistry of these reversible processes is made more intricate by a competing reaction in which the radical abstracts a hydrogen atom from a neighboring molecule. However, the unraveling of this complication has also served to extend our knowledge of the role of quantum tunneling in chemical reactions. The results of this investigation testify to the potential of solid-state techniques for the study of novel and frangible radical ions. Progress in this field shows no sign of abating, as witness the recent discovery of perfluorocycloalkane radical anions and alkane radical cations.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Univ., Knoxville (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
• DOE Contract Number: AS05-76ER02968
• OSTI ID: 6847003
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/02968-143; ON: DE82021223
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400600* -- Radiation Chemistry
ANIONS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IONS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADICALS
RADIOLYSIS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESONANCE