Abstract
Muonium spin rotation experiments have been performed in a system of benzene in liquid isopentane solutions in the temperature range between 136 K and 295 K. The observed chemical reaction rate constants show a concave curve in an Arrhenius plot. These results are interpreted in terms of to a significant quantum tunnelling effect for muonium reaction in solutions. The oscillating frequency and the width of barrier for such reactions were found to be 400 cm−1 and 2.1 Å respectively by curve-shape analysis. The reaction barrier (6.0 kJ/mol) is found to be less than the activation energy due to viscous flow of the solvent.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
For example see J.H. Brewer, K.M. Crowe, F.N. Gygax and A. Schenck in “Muon Physics”, Vol. III, V.M. Hughes C.S. Wu ed. Acad. Press, N.Y. (1975).
D.C. Walker, “Muon and Muonium Chemistry”, Cambridge (1983).
For example see P. Bell, “The Tunnelling Effect in Chemistry”, Chapman and Hill, London (1980).
D.G. Fleming, TRIUMF Annual Report (1982).
E. Roduner and H. Fischer, Hyperfine Interactions,6 413 (1979).
B.W. Ng, Y.C. Jean, Y. Ito, T. Suzuki, J.H. Brewer, D.G. Fleming and D.C. Walker, J. Phys. Chem.85, 454 (1981); J.M. Stadlbauer, B.W. Ng, Y.C. Jean and D.C. Walker, J. Phys. Chem.87, 841 (1983).
T.C. Thompson and D.G. Truhlar, J. Chem. Phys.76, 1790 (1982); J.N.L. Connor, W. Jakubetz, A. Lagana, J. Phys. Chem.83, 73 (1979).
D.G. Truhlar, W.L. Hase and J.T. Hynes, J. Phys. Chem.87, 2664 (1983).
J.A. Kerr and M.J. Parsonage, “Evaluated Kinetic Data on Gas Phase Addition Reactions”, Butterworths Pub., London (1982).
Estimated from P. Neta and R.H. Schuler, J. Amer. Chem. Soc.94, 1056 (1970).
“Selected Values of Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrocarbons and Related Compounds” p. 232, Carnegie Press, Pittsburgh (1953).
L. Melander, W.H. Saunders Jr., “Reaction Rates of Isotropic Molecules”, Wiley and Sons, N.Y. (1980).
We fitted Γ(T) according to Eq. (4) where E andv t are the fitting variables in a computer program (MINUIT).
D.M. Garner (private communication).
The activation energy from viscous flow was obtained by fitting the reported viscosity (Ref. /11/) in a simple exponential function η(T)=ηo exp(−η/kBT) exp(−Eη/kBT).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ganti, R., Jean, Y.C. Quantum tunnelling of muonium reactions in solutions. Hyperfine Interact 32, 819–823 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02394990
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02394990