Nature of the Chemical Reactivity of Radiobromine Atoms Produced by Isomeric Transition

Abstract

The hot‐atom chemistry of n‐propyl bromide has been examined further. By comparing the differences and similarities of the (n, γ) and isomeric transition processes, an over‐all theory is evolved which accounts for the identical results produced by both nuclear processes in the solid and liquid alkyl halides. The charge developed by the Auger process following internal conversion causes the molecule to explode and gives a neutral recoiling atom which then reacts as the (n, γ) atoms. The neutralization after rupture is rapid in the solid and liquid. In the gas this is not so and it has been possible to demonstrate experimentally a difference between the retentions in the gas phase.