Unstable intermediates. Part LXV. Electron spin resonance studies of radicals derived from protonated alcohols by γ-irradiation: the radicals R2ĊOH2+

Abstract

Solutions of methanol or isopropyl alcohol in concentrated sulphuric acid on exposure to γ-rays at 77°K gave comparable yields of the radicals ĊH₃ and ĊH₂OH₂⁺(from CH₃OH₂⁺) and (CH₃)₂ĊH and (CH₃)₂ĊOH₂⁺[from (CH₃)₂CHOH₂⁺]. The former are formed by dissociative electron capture. The latter are of interest since the results indicate that the unpaired electrons are almost entirely localised on carbon, and that the large coupling of about 5 G to the oxygen protons probably arises by a hyperconjugation mechanism.