THE CHEMICAL FATE OF RECOIL IODINE ATOMS IN IODINE–METHYL IODIDE SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The organic yield of recoil 126I, produced by the 14 MeV neutron irradiation of iodine–methyl iodide solutions, was examined over iodine concentrations from 0.34 mole fraction iodine to "pure" methyl iodide. By correcting for exchange between I2 and methyl iodide, the initial organic yield at very low iodine concentrations was found to be 57%. The time for one-half of the I2 to exchange with CH3I was found to decrease with decreasing iodine concentration. At all iodine concentrations the organic products containing 126I consisted mainly of CH3I and CH2I2. The formation of products is discussed in terms of thermal reactions, diffusion-controlled reactions in the spurs, and hot reactions.