Paramagnetic molecular centers in gamma-irradiated precipitates in the system AlCl3-DL-alpha-valine-NaOH

Formation and stability of paramagnetic molecular centers were studied in AlCl3-NaOH-DL-alpha-valine by ESR spectroscopy. In Al3(OH)9(valine)1 x 3H2O gamma-irradiated at room temperature the valine radical [formula: see text] was detected. The radical was formed by abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the valine molecule coupled to the aluminum hydroxide matrix. Stability of the radical depended critically on structural properties of the aluminum hydroxide matrix. In aluminum hydroxide with the ratio (Al)/(Valine) = 20, either no paramagnetic species were detected (irradiation in air) or a singlet at g = 2.008 of 1.8 mT linewidth was detected (irradiation in vacuum) at room temperature. Primary paramagnetic species (gamma irradiation at 77 K) in Al3(OH)9(Val)1 x 3H2O are chloride paramagnetic centers and the primary neutral valine radical [formula: see text] It was formed by abstraction of the NH2 group from the valine molecule. With warming, this radical was not transformed to the radical (I).