Paramagnetic Centers in Irradiated Potassium Picrate

The formation of paramagnetic centers in potassium picrate in a radiation field was found using EPR spectroscopy. Stable paramagnetic centers were identified as 2,6-dinitro-para-quinone, iminoxyl, and ^– radicals. The kinetics of buildup of stable paramagnetic centers was studied over a wide dose range (0.14–5 MGy), and the temperature stability was studied at 77–550 K. It was found that the decay of paramagnetic centers in the temperature range 373–523 K obeyed the laws of polychronous kinetics. A reaction scheme for the radiation-thermal decomposition of sodium picrate with the participation of radical radiolysis products was proposed.