The (CF3S)2N. radical : preparation,dimerization, ESR-studies

The Bis (trifluormethylmercapto) amino radical (CF₃S)₂N· has been prepared by oxidation of Bis (trifluormethylmercapto) amine, (CF₃S)₂NH with activated lead diooxide in CCl₃F solution at room temperature. The 10^?5 – 10^?6 molar solution of the radical shows in the ESR- spectrum a triplett of septetts with a isotropic nitrogen hyperfine splitting constant a(¹⁴N) = 13,2 G, a(¹⁹F) = 1.95 G, indicating that the radical is a planar sp² species where the unpaired electron is located predominantly in the nitrogen 2p orbital. It is suggested that in solution an thermal equilibrium exists between the (CF₃S)₂ N radical and its dimer Tetrakis (trifluormethylmercapto)-hydrazine:

Aspects of preparation as well as thermodynamic and kinetic details of the hydrazine (NN bond strength 7 kcal/mol^?1) and the equilibrium, which can be followed by ESR-spectroscopy will be given.