Paramagnetic intermediate in the oxidation of ethylene over magnesium oxide

Abstract

Isotopic labelling with ¹³C has been used to investigate the structure of the (CH₂CH₂O)^– radical formed by reaction of (O^–)_s with ethylene on MgO. The e.s.r. spectra indicate indicate that the carbon atoms are inequivalent with ac₍₁₎= 53 ± 0.5 G and ac₍₂₎= 24 ± 0.5 G. These results confirm that the radical has a bent linear rather than a cyclic structure.