Behaviour of carrier-free 32P, formed in elementary sulphur by the nuclear reaction 32S(n,p) 32P, in some isotopic exchange reactions

The isotopic exchange reactions of carrier-free 32P formed in elementary sulphur, with such compounds as PCl3, POCl3, PSCl3 were studied. Exchange was observed in the case of POCl3 and PSCl3. It was catalysed by AlCl3. Only the radiophosphorus atoms present in deaerated sulphur targets show this exchange. This study presents further evidence that two chemical states of carrier-free 32P may be present in irradiated sulphur targets, depending on the presence or absence of oxygen included in the crystalline lattice of irradiated sulphur.