Chlorine hexafluoride radical. Preparation, electron spin resonance spectrum, and structure

The chlorine hexafluoride radical was generated by γ radiolysis of SF6 containing 5 mol percent of ClF5 at -1960. The first-derivative ESR spectrum of solid irradiated SF6 at -165 is shown. Septet substructures were attributed to hyperfine interactions. ESR parameter calculations indicate that the unpaired electron occupies the a*/sub lg/ orbital in O/sub h/ symmetry. As an alternative to O/sub h/ symmetry, the possibility that ClF6 undergoes deformations similar to those deduced for XeF6 is discussed. Reasons for the broadening of the ClF6 spectral lines are considered. (U.S.)