Methyl Radical in Irradiated Single Crystals of Sodium Acetate Trihydrate

Abstract

The ESR spectra of irradiated single crystals of sodium acetate trihydrate and three isotopically substituted species have been examined at 77°K. The hyperfine proton and 13C splittings provide strong evidence for the presence of trapped methyl radicals and the anisotropic hyperfine splitting tensors have been evaluated and are discussed. The planar methyl radical is reorienting rapidly about its threefold axis.