Exchange reactions in hot atom chemistry. II. Liquid methyl iodide

Abstract

When dilute solutions of iodine in methyl iodide are irradiated with neutrons more than 56% of the radioactive iodine-128 appears in organic combination. This increase arises from an isotope exchange reaction with a rate independent of iodine concentration. When more concentratedsolutions are irradiated the organic radioactivity is reduced below 56% and the reduction depends on the square root of iodine concentration. Results are examined in terms of the kinetic theory of hot reactions and also a treatment for distinguishing between 'Rot' and 'hot spot diffusive'reactions.