An Electron Spin Resonance Study of High Energy Radiation Damage in Tetrapotassium Hexacyanoruthenate Trihydrate, K4Ru(II)(CN)6•3H2O

Abstract

Gamma-ray irradiation at 77 °K and X-ray irradiation at room temperature of single crystals of the diamagnetic tetrapotassium hexacyanoruthenate trihydrate have been shown to produce a number of interesting paramagnetic species. At room temperature the e.s.r. spectra can be interpreted in terms of the species [Ru(CN)5(NC)]5−. At liquid nitrogen temperature the species [Ru(CN)4(NC)2]5− is observed and the HCN− radical is produced in an environment which does not permit it to rapidly reorientate at 77 °K. The HCN− radical is believed to be in close association with a ruthenium(II) ion.