Covalent distribution of spin in V2O3:O17 nuclear resonance

O¹⁷ nuclear magnetic resonance has been observed in metallic V₂O₃ with frequency shifts from (?0.10 ± 0.02)-(?0.05 ± 0.02) per cent between 170 and 460°K respectively, a linewidth of 37 ± 5 oe and spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T₁ ≈ 60 sec^?1 at 296°K. From these quantities, covalency parameters f_s/2S = ? 0.35 × 10^?3 and ?_π/2S ≈ ? 0.07 are calculated. One of the two vanadium 3d electrons in the antiferromagnetic state below the 170°K metal-insulator transition is inferred to lie in a non-magnetic state, while covalent charge transfer augments the spin moment of the other 3d electron to the observed 1.2 μ_B.