Abstract
In compounds of general formula (CH3)nCCl4-n, γ irradiation at 77°K creates free radicals by C-Cl bond rupture but for (CH3)nSiCl4-n compounds both C-H, Si-C and Si-Cl breakages occur. A study of the e.s.r. spectra of ĉ(CH3)3 in (CH3)3CCl, (CH3)2ĉCl in (CH3)2CCl2 and ĉH2(CH3)2SiCl in (CH3)3SiCl shows the influence of the matrix upon the structure of the trapped free radical. The hyperfine coupling constant found for the 29Si interaction (α29si=416 gauss) in the 29S[icaron]l3 free radical shows that S[icaron]l3 is not a π-planar radical.