Using muon spin resonsnce spectroscopy to explore the free-radical reactivity of silicon, phosphorus, germanium and boron compounds

Positive muons are subatomic particles of antimatter, with a lifetime of 2.2 microseconds.They can be generated at a high-power cyclotron or similar particle accelerator. During their brief lifetime muons can capture electrons... [ view full abstract ]

Positive muons are subatomic particles of antimatter, with a lifetime of 2.2 microseconds.They can be generated at a high-power cyclotron or similar particle accelerator. During their brief lifetime muons can capture electrons to become muonium atoms, which can act as free radicals in subsequent chemical reactions. The discovery of the reaction between muonium and a stable silylene in 2010 has led to a burgeoning area of rapid reaction chemistry,including muon-initiated reactions of silicon, phosphorus, germanium and perhaps boron compounds.