Orientational dynamics of the Sc3 trimer in C82: An EPR study

Electron paramagnetic resonance experiments on endohedral Sc3 in C82 show 22 hyperfine coupling split transitions with unusually large linewidths. Both the nuclear hyperfine coupling and the linewidths are found to be strongly temperature dependent. The data show that the three Sc ions are equivalent, and strongly suggest that they form a trimer which rapidly reorients within the C82 cage. A simple model is proposed which is in good agreement with the data. © 1994 The American Physical Society.