Radiation-induced polymerization of nitroethylene as studied by low-temperature pulse radiolysis

Low-temperature pulse radiolysis of nitroethylene was carried out in γ-irradiated 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) matrices. The electron pulse was about 4 μsec in duration and 2.6 MeV in energy. Sample solutions were sealed in vacuo in a rectangular quartz cell with a side arm to fill. An analyzing light beam from a 150-W xenon lamp passed the cell of the light path of 1 cm. The temperature of solution was regulated within +- 20C by flowing cold nitrogen gas at a controlled flow rate. Nitroethylene was synthesized by the dehydration of 2-nitroethanol according to the procedure of Buckly and Scaife. In conclusion, nitroethylene radical anion produced in electron-pulse-irradiated MTHF solution of nitroethylene at -1600C reacts rapidly with nitroethylene to form sigma-bonded dimer anion which leads to polymerization. 2 figures