Radiation processes for trichloromethyl compounds: the CCl3 radical

A range of compounds containing the trichloromethyl group have been exposed to 60Coγ-rays at 77K, either in the pure state or in various solutions. The resulting E.S.R. spectra have been analysed both at 77K and during annealing. Carbon tetrachloride in CD3OD gave a well-defined spectrum of CCl3 together with satellite lines for 13CCl3. Chloroform gave equal concentrations of CCl3 and HCCL2 in the pure state, but CCl3 was only formed during annealing for solutions in CD3OD. 1,1,1-Trichloroethanol gave a high yield of HCO radicals at 77K, together with CCl3 and a radical thought to be CH2OH. 1,1,1-Trichloroacetone gave mainly Cl2C-CO-CH3 and H2C-CO-CCl3. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane gave Cl2C-CH3 and possibly Cl3C-CH2 in the pure state, and Cl2C-CH3 only in CD3OD. (author)