Electron—proton distance changes during solvation of electrons in 3-methylhexane and other organic glasses by matrix ENDOR and second moment EPR lineshape analyses

Abstract

Matrix proton ENDOR signals have been measured for stabilized electrons produced by irradiation at 4 K and at 77 K in 3-methylhexane glass. The matrix proton ENDOR linewidths are smaller when irradiation is carried out at 77 K. This difference is analyzed to show a 0.15 Å change in the average electron—proton distance as the electron produced at 4 K is solvated by warming to 77 K. Similar distance changes have been deduced from a second moment EPR lineshape analysis for electrons in several organic glasses for which the proton hyperfine interaction is mainly dipolar.