THERMAL AND NEUTRON IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON RATE OF RACEMIZATION OF D-K3CR(C2O4)3.2H2O IN SOLID STATE

The compound d-K3Cr(C2O4)3·2H2O undergoes thermal racemization in the solid state at temperatures exceeding 200°, even when previously completely dehydrated at a lower temperature. However, the presence of water vapor greatly accelerates the process, as is to be expected, since studies of the racemization of this complex in solution indicate that water may very efficiently displace at least one end of chelated oxalate. Preirradiation of the optically active crystals by pile-generated neutrons causes inhibition of the racemization reaction perhaps as a result of some sort of defect annealing process or of lattice blockage by nuclear recoil debris.