Unstable intermediates. Part XLVII. Electron spin resonance study of the radical (CN)2– in irradiated alkali metal cyanides and potassium chloride crystals

Abstract

γ-Irradiation of sodium and potassium cyanide yields the radical (CN)₂^–, the cyanogen negative ion, which is analogous to the V_k- centres formed by irradiation of alkali halides. The electron spin resonance spectrum of the radical trapped in a single crystal of potassium chloride is reported and used to derive information about its shape and electronic structure.