An electron spin resonance study of some silyl radicals

Abstract

The e.s.r. spectra of a variety of silyl radicals have been observed during the steady-state photolysis of di-t-butyl peroxide in the parent silane. In a number of cases, in addition to the proton hyperfine interactions, splittings from ²⁹Si in natural abundance have been observed. Unlike the analogous alkyl radicals, silyl radicals are non-planar around the atom bearing the unpaired electron. In the series (Me)_nSiH_3–n the radicals probably become less planar as Me is replaced by H.