Ruthenocene neutron irradiation

A significant step was made by neutron irradiation of ruthenocene. It was found that 20—25% of the ruthenium activity was recoverable as ruthenocene, and that also considerable rhodium activity was sublimed along with the ruthenocene. The rhodium was identified as being rhodium dicyclopentadienide, produced in high yield by the decay of ruthenocene. 

Synthesis of ruthenocene from fission-product ruthenium isotopes was done by neutron irradiation ofU30g and FeCpj powder mixtures. It was shown that most of the ruthenocene found was actually produced by the decay of a precursor. Subsequent knowledge makes it apparent that the fission product recoils formed a rhodium dicyclopentadienide whose structure was preserved through the decay . The total yield of ruthenocene reached a value of 60% under some experimental conditions and was rarely less than 40%. 

A similar synthesis of ruthenocene was done by neutron irradiation of FeCp2 and RUO2 powders together. The yield of RuCp2 was, however, extremely low (0.01 %)37).38>. K ,... 

The radiochemistry of ruthenocene has been studied by Baumgartner and Reichold (9) and by Harbottle and Zahn (29). It is found that neutron irradiation of crystalline RuCp2 yields about 10% of the radioactive ruthenium as RuCp2- More specifically, an isotopic difference in the radiochemical yield is found Ru, 9.6 0.1% Ru, 10.7 0.2% and Ru, 9.9 0.2% (29). In liquid solution the isotopic effect is much more pronounced, although the yields are lower. This was suggested by Harbottle as a general principle the greatest isotope effects are associated with the lowest yields. While this principle has not yet been substantiated, it seems reasonable since any thermal reactions which may increase the yields would not likely show any isotope effect. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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