Long-lived 1-adamantaneimminyl free radical as studied by ESR in 1-cyanoadamantane

The products of γ-irradiation of 1-cyanoadamantane were studied as a function of temperature by ESR spectroscopy. 1-adamantyl, 1-cyanoadamantyl and 1-adamantaneimminyl free radicals are formed in proportions depending on temperature. The low-temperature major product, 1-cyanoadamantyl transforms upon heating into the imminyl free radical which can be used as a spin label for studying molecular dynamics in glassy crystalline 1-cyanoadamantane.