Radiation mechanisms—VI.(1) electron addition to tetrahedral phosphorus

Electron spin resonance studies of phosphorus compounds containing PH bonds, after exposure to ⁶⁰Co γ-rays, show that electron addition is followed by movement of hydrogen into the axial position of the resulting phosphoranyl radical. Subsequent thermally induced, irreversible, pseudo-rotations placed the hydrogen ligands in the equatorial position.

Electron loss was always accompanied by loss of the proton bonded to phosphorus, giving phosphoryl radicals. A range of other species were also detected, and their identities and reactivities are discussed.