Unstable intermediates. Part CV. Radiolysis of frozen aqueous solutions of alkali-metal halides: electron spin resonance spectra for MH+ and HalOH–

Abstract

Exposure of glassy aqueous solutions of alkali-metal halides to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at 77 K gave species identified by their e.s.r. spectra as H·, MH⁺, OH, HalOH^–, and Hal₂^–. The effect of gradual annealing is outlined and aspects of the damage mechanism discussed. The fact that H· is preferentially trapped by the metal cations whilst OH is trapped by the halide ions is rationalised in terms of the electronic structures of the resulting radicals.