Unstable intermediates. Part 107.—Radiation damage products in choline chloride

Abstract

At 77 K the major radicals detected by e.s.r. in γ-irradiated choline chloride [Me₃N⁺CH₂CH₂OHCl^–] are ĊH₂CH₂OH, as previously suggested, and a species containing one hydrogen and one chlorine atom, closely resembling ClOH^–. The latter was lost on annealing. Irradiation at room temperature gave only the radical Me₃N⁺, which was rotating at this temperature, but stationary at 77 K. A mechanism is outlined which could account for these radicals and for the chain mechanism of the decomposition.