On the Structure of Oxirane Molecular Cation. Preliminary Communication

A recent controversy on the interpretation of the ESR spectrum of ionized oxirane is clarified on the basis of the electronic absorption spectra of ionized tetramethyloxirane and 9,10-octalineoxide. The results favour a ring-opened structure for oxirane molecular cation, resulting from C? C bond cleavage and being iso-π-electronic to allyl radical.