Molecular oxygen and oxidation catalysis by phosphovanadomolybdates

The history of aerobic catalytic oxidation mediated by a subclass of polyoxometalates, the phosphovanadomolybdates of the Keggin structure, [PV(x)Mo(12-x)O40](3+x)-, is described. In the earlier research it was shown that phosphovanadomolybdates catalyze oxydehydrogenation reactions through an electron-transfer oxidation of a substrate by the polyoxometalate that is then reoxidized by oxygen. These aerobic oxidations are selective and synthetically useful in various transformations, notably diene aromatization, phenol dimerization and alcohol oxidation. Oxygen transfer from the polyoxometalate to arenes and alkylarenes was also discussed as a homogeneous analog of a Mars-van Krevelen oxidation. "Second generation" catalysts include binary complexes of the polyoxometalate and a organometallic compound useful, for example, for methane oxidation and nanoparticles stabilized by polyoxometalates effective for aerobic alkene epoxidation.     

Polymerization of aromatic nuclei. XXV. ESR and chemical studies on the radical cation nature of poly(p-phenylene)

The radical cation nature of poly(p-phenylene) (PPP) was examined by electron spin resonance (ESR) and chemical means. ESR studies revealed a radical concentration of 1.0 × 10²¹ spins/g for the crude polymer. Workup with aqueous acid decreased the value to 1.5 × 10¹⁸ spins/g. Reactions of the polymer with certain nucleophiles followed the half-regeneration mechanism, whereas with others, electron transfer mainly occurred. The origin of halogen in the polymer was found to arise from reaction of the radical cation with the oxidant, and not with halide during workup. Oxidation of PPP with various species increased the concentration of radical cations.     

Voltammetric and electrochemical ESR studies of oxidation reactions mediated by tris(4-bromophenyl)amine in acetonitrile

The electrochemical oxidation of tris(4-bromophenyl)amine in the presence of 2,6-lutidine is examined in acetonitrile. Voltammetric and spectroscopic investigations suggest that the electrogenerated triaryl aminium radical cation oxidizes 2,6-lutidine in an EC' mechanism, and an equilibrium constant for this homogeneous electron transfer is estimated. The mediated oxidation of a protected phenyl selenoglycoside by this reaction mixture is studied by the use of electrochemical ESR, employing a tubular flow cell, and signal intensity data is found to be consistent with the proposed mechanism, allowing the determination of kinetic parameters by computational simulation. Products of the mediated glycoside oxidation are determined by proton NMR and mass spectrometry.     

Mechanisms of hydrogen-, oxygen-, and electron-transfer reactions of cumylperoxyl radical

Rates of hydrogen-transfer reactions from a series of para-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines to cumylperoxyl radical and oxygen-transfer reactions from cumylperoxyl radical to a series of sulfides and phosphines have been determined in propionitrile (EtCN) and pentane at low temperatures by use of ESR. The observed rate constants exhibit first-order and second-order dependence with respect to concentrations of N,N-dimethylanilines. This indicates that the hydrogen- and oxygen-transfer reactions proceed via 1:1 charge-transfer (CT) complexes formed between the substrates and cumylperoxyl radical. The primary kinetic isotope effects are determined by comparing the rates of N,N-dimethylanilines and the corresponding N,N-bis(trideuteriomethyl)anilines. The isotope effect profiles are quite different from those reported for the P-450 model oxidation of the same series of substrates. Rates of electron-transfer reactions from ferrocene derivatives to cumylperoxyl radical have also been determined by use of ESR. The catalytic effects of Sc(OTf)(3) (OTf = triflate) on the electron-transfer reactions are compared with those of Sc(OTf)(3) on the hydrogen- and oxygen-transfer reactions. Such comparison provides strong evidence that the hydrogen- and oxygen- transfer reactions of cumylperoxyl radical proceed via a one-step hydrogen atom and oxygen atom transfer rather than via an electron transfer from substrates to cumylperoxyl radical.     

Spectroscopic detection of short-lived anthracene derivative cation radicals using an electron transfer stopped-flow method with the tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine cation radical

Dynamic transformation profiles of short-lived cation radicals of anthracene derivatives, including 1-methyl, 2-methyl and unsubstituted anthracenes, could be observed using an electron transfer stopped-flow method by adopting the tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine cation radical as a reaction initiator.     

付氏反应中自由基的鉴定及其生成机理

本文通过一系列卤代烃与苯的付氏反应的ESR谱,研究了自由基物种的生成机理:它们起因于Lewis酸对由Scholl反应所生成的9,10-二取代蒽进行单电子氧化,并建立了一种生成9,10-二取代蒽自由基正离子的简单方法。首次报道了一个新自由基正离子1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-八氘蒽的ESR谱。     

Rational design principle for modulating fluorescence properties of fluorescein-based probes by photoinduced electron transfer

Fluorescence properties of fluorescein-based probes are shown to be finely controlled by the rate of photoinduced electron transfer from the benzoic acid moiety (electron donor) to the singlet excited state of the xanthene moiety (electron acceptor fluorophore). The occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer is clearly evidenced by transient absorption spectra showing bands due to the radical cation of the electron donor moiety and the radical anion of the xanthene moiety, observed in laser flash photolysis experiments. The photoinduced electron transfer rates and the rates of back electron transfer follow the Marcus parabolic dependence of electron transfer rate on the driving force. Such a dependence provides for the first time a quantitative basis for a rational design principle which has high efficiency in modulating fluorescence properties of fluorescein-based probes.     

Mechanism of the oxidation of aromatic sulfides catalysed by a water soluble iron porphyrin

The oxygen atom transfer-electron transfer (ET) mechanistic dichotomy has been investigated in the oxidation of a number of aryl sulfides by H2O2 in acidic (pH 3) aqueous medium catalysed by the water soluble iron(III) porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine-p,p',p",p"'-tetrasulfonic acid iron(III) chloride (FeTPPSCl). Under these reaction conditions, the iron-oxo complex porphyrin radical cation, P+. Fe(IV)=O, should be the active oxidant. When the oxidation of a series of para-X substituted phenyl alkyl sulfides (X = OCH3, CH3, H, Br, CN) was studied the corresponding sulfoxides were the only observed product and the reaction yields as well as the reactivity were little influenced by the nature of X as well as by the bulkiness of the alkyl group. Labelling experiments using H(2)18O or H(2)18O2 clearly indicated that the oxygen atom in the sulfoxides comes exclusively from the oxidant. Moreover, no fragmentation products were observed in the oxidation of a benzyl phenyl sulfide whose radical cation is expected to undergo cleavage of the beta C-H and C-S bonds. These results would seem to suggest a direct oxygen atom transfer from the iron-oxo complex to the sulfide. However, competitive experiments between thioanisole (E degree = 1.49 V vs. NHE in H2O) and N,N-dimethylaniline (E degree = 0.97 V vs. NHE in H2O) resulted in exclusive N-demethylation, whereas the oxidation of N-methylphenothiazine (10, E degree = 0.95 V vs. NHE in CH3CN) and N,N-dimethyl-4-methylthioaniline (11, E degree = 0.65 V vs. NHE in H2O) produced the corresponding sulfoxide with complete oxygen incorporation from the oxidant. Since an ET mechanism must certainly hold in the reactions of 10 and 11, the oxygen incorporation experiments indicate that the intermediate radical cation, once formed, has to react with PFe(IV)=O (the reduced form of the iron-oxo complex which is formed by the ET step) in a fast oxygen rebound. Thus, an ET step followed by a fast oxygen rebound is also suggested for the other sulfides investigated in this work.     

Studies of the inner reorganization energies of the cation radicals of 1,4-bis(dimethylamino)benzene, 9,10-bis(dimethylamino)anthracene, and 3,6-bis(dimethylamino)durene by photoelectron spectroscopy and reinterpretation of the mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of the parent diamines

The inner reorganization energy of the cation radical of 1,4-bis(dimethylamino)benzene, 1, has been determined to be 0.72 +/- 0.02 eV by means of gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). PES studies of 9,10-bis(dimethylamino)anthracene, 2, and 3,6-bis(dimethylamino)durene, 3, demonstrate that their reorganization energies are smaller than that of 1. The effect of lowering the inner reorganization energy on the rate constant for an electrochemical electron-transfer reaction is to increase the electron-transfer rate constant, k(s). However, voltammetric studies of the two-electron oxidation of 2 and 3 indicate that the values of k(s) for each step are smaller than those for 1, in contradistinction to the measured differences in reorganization energies. The voltammetric studies of 2 and 3 were reinterpreted according to a mechanism in which each step of oxidation was written as a two-step process, electron transfer with a small inner reorganization energy plus a chemical step of structural change. The agreement of simulations according to this mechanism with the experimental data was excellent. The new reaction scheme eliminated some suspicious features previously obtained with an analysis where electron transfer and structural change were considered to be concerted. In particular, all electron-transfer coefficients (alpha) were close to one-half, whereas the earlier treatment produced values of alpha much larger or smaller than one-half.     

Spectroscopic study of Mg(II) ion influence on the autoxidation of gallic acid in weakly alkaline aqueous solutions

Gallic acid autoxidation in weakly alkaline aqueous solutions was studied by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and ESR spectroscopy under various conditions. Lowering the pH value from 10 to 8.5 probably changes the mechanism of the autoxidation reaction as evidenced by the different time variations of UV-Vis spectra of solutions. The presence of Mg(II) ions greatly influences the autoxidation reaction at pH 8.5. Although the UV-Vis spectral changes with time follow the similar pattern during the gallic acid autoxidation at pH 10 and at pH 8.5 in the presence of Mg(II) ions, some small differences indicate that Mg(II) ions not only affect the electron density of absorbing species but also influence the overall mechanism of the autoxidation reaction. ESR spectra of free radials formed during the initial stage of gallic acid autoxidation at pH 8.5 in the presence of Mg(II) ions were recorded. Computer simulation of ESR spectra allows partial characterization of these free radicals.     

Electron-transfer and acid-base properties of a two-electron oxidized form of quaterpyrrole that acts as both an electron donor and an acceptor

Electron-transfer interconversion between the four-electron oxidized form of a quaterpyrrole (abbreviated as P4 for four pyrroles) and the two-electron oxidized form (P4H2) as well as between P4H2 and its fully reduced form (P4H4) bearing analogous substituents in the alpha- and beta-pyrrolic positions was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry combined with ESR and laser flash photolysis measurements. The two-electron oxidized form, P4H2, acts as both an electron donor and an electron acceptor. The radical cation (P4H2*+) and radical anion (P4H2*-) are both produced by photoinduced electron transfer from dimeric 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide to P4H2, whereas the cation radical form of the compound is also produced by electron-transfer oxidation of P4H2 with [Ru(bpy)3]3+. The ESR spectra of P4H2*+ and P4H2*- were recorded at low temperature and exhibit spin delocalization over all four pyrrole units. Thus, the two-electron oxidized form of the quaterpyrrole (P4H2) displays redox and electronic features analogous to those seen in the case of porphyrins and may be considered as a simple, open-chain model of this well-studied tetrapyrrolic macrocycle. The dynamics of deprotonation from P4H2*+ and disproportionation of P4H2 were examined by laser flash photolysis measurements of photoinduced electron-transfer oxidation and reduction of P4H2, respectively.     

A study of vitamin A radical cation generated by chemical and radiolytic oxidation

Electron transfer reaction between vitamin A (1) and tris(p-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroautimonate (2) in dichloromethane (DCM) has been investigated by means of UV-VIS absorption and ESR spectroscopy. The title radical cation formed in the reaction was characterized by a new absorption band around 600 nm and a singlet unresolved ESR spectrum with g factor of 2.0038-2.0039 and line width of 20 G. Further studies indicated that ESR pattern and parameters of the radical cation generated by 7-irradiation of 1 in CFCl3 matrix at 77 K are consistent with that resulted in the chemical oxidation in DCM at ambient temperature.     

Intervalence (charge-resonance) transitions in organic mixed-valence systems. Through-space versus through-bond electron transfer between bridged aromatic (redox) centers

Intervalence absorption bands appearing in the diagnostic near-IR region are consistently observed in the electronic spectra of mixed-valence systems containing a pair of aromatic redox centers (Ar(*)(+)/Ar) that are connected by two basically different types of molecular bridges. The through-space pathway for intramolecular electron transfer is dictated by an o-xylylene bridge in the mixed-valence cation radical 3(*)(+) with Ar = 2,5-dimethoxy-p-tolyl (T), in which conformational mobility allows the proximal syn disposition of planar T(*)(+)/T redox centers. Four independent experimental probes indicate the large through-space electronic interaction between such cofacial Ar(*)(+)/Ar redox centers from the measurements of (a) sizable potential splitting in the cyclic voltammogram, (b) quinonoidal distortion of T(*)(+)/T centers by X-ray crystallography, (c) "doubling" of the ESR hyperfine splittings, and (d) a pronounced intervalence charge-resonance band. The through (br)-bond pathway for intramolecular electron transfer is enforced in the mixed-valence cation radical 2a(*)(+) by the p-phenylene bridge which provides the structurally inflexible and linear connection between Ar(*)(+)/Ar redox centers. The direct comparison of intramolecular rates of electron transfer (k(ET)) between identical T(*)(+)/T centers in 3(*)(+) and 2a(*)(+)( )()indicates that through-space and through-bond mechanisms are equally effective, despite widely different separations between their redox centers. The same picture obtains for 3(*)(+) and 2a(*)(+)( )()from theoretical computations of the first-order rate constants for intramolecular electron transfer from Marcus-Hush theory using the electronic coupling elements evaluated from the diagnostic intervalence (charge-transfer) transitions. Such a strong coherence between theory and experiment also applies to the mixed-valence cation radical 7(*)(+), in which the aromatic redox S center is sterically encumbered by annulation.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence 69: the tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II), (Ru(bpy)3(2+))/tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) system revisited-a new route involving TPrA*+ cation radicals

The reaction occurring on electrooxidation of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) leads to the production of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and light emission. The accepted mechanism of this widely used reaction involves the reaction of Ru(bpy)(3)(3+) and a reduced species derived from the free radical of the TPrA. However, this mechanism does not account for many of the observed features of this reaction. A new route involving the intermediacy of TPrA cation radicals (TPrA(*+)) in the generation of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was established, based on results of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)-electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) experiments, as well as cyclic voltammetry simulations. A half-life of approximately 0.2 ms was estimated for TPrA(*+) in neutral aqueous solution. Direct evidence for TPrA(*+) in this medium was obtained via flow cell electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments at approximately 20 degrees C. The ESR spectra of the TPrA(*+) species consisted of a relatively intense and sharp septet with a splitting of approximately 20 G and a g value of 2.0038.     

Direct photooxidation and xanthene-sensitized oxidation of naphthols: quantum yields and mechanism

The photoinduced oxidation of 1-naphthol to 1,4-naphthoquinone and of 5-hydroxy-1-naphthol to 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was studied by steady-state and time-resolved techniques. The direct photooxidation of naphthols in methanol or water takes place by reaction of the naphoxyl radical ((?)ONaph) with the superoxide ion radical (O(2)(?-)), the latter of which results from the reaction of the solvated electron with oxygen after photoionization. The sensitized oxidation takes place by energy transfer from the xanthene triplet state to oxygen. From the two oxygen atoms, which are consumed, one is incorporated into the naphthol molecule giving naphthoquinone and the second gives rise to water. The effects of eosin, erythrosin, and rose bengal in aqueous solution, pH, and the oxygen and naphthol concentrations were studied. The quantum yield of the photosensitized transformation was determined, which increases with the naphthol concentration and is largest at pH > 10. The quantum yield of oxygen uptake is similar. The pathway involving singlet molecular oxygen is suggested to operate for the three sensitizers. The alternative pathway via electron transfer from the naphthol to the xanthene triplet state and subsequent reaction of (?)ONaph with O(2)(?-), the latter of which is formed by scavenging of the xanthene radical anion by oxygen, does also contribute.     

氯离子存在下四苯基卟啉合锰的电化学和现场光谱电化学II. 氧化过程

本文研究了氯离子滴定过程中四苯基卟啉合锰氧化过程的常规循环伏安、薄层循环伏安及现场紫外-可见光谱电化学行为。发现在1摩尔比的Cl^-存在下, 四苯基卟啉合锰经历了Mn(III)/Mn(III)环阳离子自由基及进一步氧化为环两价阳离子的过程, 并伴随有异卟啉生成的后行化学反应, 当2摩尔比的Cl^-存在时, 反应机理转变为Mn(III)/Mn(IV), Mn(IV)/Mn(IV)环阳离子自由基并伴随有异卟啉生成反应的两个氧化步骤。提出了与这一滴定过程相关的氧化还原反应机理。     

Divalent germanium compound with a radical-anionic ligand: molecular structures of (dpp-BIAN)*- GeCl and its hydrochloration products [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]*+ [GeCl3]- and [[(dpp-BIAN)(H)2*+]2(Cl-)]+ [GeCl3]- (dpp-BIAN=1,2-Bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene)

The germanium(II) compound (dpp-BIAN)GeCl (1), which contains the radical anion of dpp-BIAN can be prepared either by reacting free dpp-BIAN ligand with 2 equiv of GeCl2(1,4-dioxane) in Et2O or by metathetical reaction of the sodium salt of dpp-BIAN with germanium dichloride in Et2O or benzene. The reaction of benzene solutions of 1 with 2 or 3 equiv of HCl led to protonation of the dpp-BIAN ligand affording [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]*+[GeCl3]- (2) and [[(dpp-BIAN)(H)2*+]2(Cl-)]+ [GeCl3]- (3), which incorporate the radical cation of the protonated ligand. Compounds 1-3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 1-3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In molecule 1, the Ge atom is positioned at the apex of the slightly distorted trigonal pyramid. The Ge-N bond lengths in 1 are 2.0058(19) and 2.004(2) A. The molecular structure of 2 consists of contact ions [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]+ and [GeCl3]-. In the molecular structure of 3, two radical cations of [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]+ are "coordinated" by the chlorine anion. The ESR signal of 1 indicates the presence of a dpp-BIAN radical anion and shows a hyperfine structure due to the coupling of an unpaired electron to 14N, 73Ge, 35Cl, 37Cl, and 1H nuclei (AN=0.48 (2 N), AGe=0.96, ACl=0.78 (35Cl), ACl=0.65 (37Cl), AH=0.11 (4 H) mT, g=2.0014). Both 2 and 3 reveal ESR signals of radical cation [(dpp-BIAN)(H)2]*+ (septet, AN=0.53, AH=0.48 mT, g=2.0031).     

Transition from hydrogen atom to hydride abstraction by Mn4O4(O2PPh2)6 versus [Mn4O4(O2PPh2)6]+: O-H bond dissociation energies and the formation of Mn4O3(OH)(O2PPh2)6

Synthesis, characterization, and reactions of the novel manganese-oxo cubane complex [Mn(4)O(4)(O(2)PPh(2))(6)](ClO(4)), 1+ (ClO(4)(-)), are described. Cation 1+ is composed of the [Mn(4)O(4)](7+) core surrounded by six bidentate phosphinate ligands. The proton-coupled electron transfer (pcet) reactions of phenothiazine (pzH), the cation radical (pzH(.+)(ClO(4)(-)), and the neutral pz* radical with 1+ are reported and compared to Mn(4)O(4)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (1). Compound 1+ (ClO(4)(-)) reacts with excess pzH via four sequential reduction steps that transfer a total of five electrons and four protons to 1+. This reaction forms the doubly dehydrated manganese cluster Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (2) and two water molecules derived from the corner oxygen atoms. The first pcet step forms the novel complex Mn(4)O(3)(OH)(O(2)PPh(2))(6) (1H) and 1 equiv of the pz+ cation by net hydride transfer from pzH. Spectroscopic characterization of isolated 1H is reported. Reduction of 1 by pzH or a series of para-substituted phenols also produces 1H via net H atom transfer. A lower limit to the homolytic bond dissociation energy (BDE) (1H --> 1 + H) was estimated to be >94 kcal/mol using solution phase BDEs for pzH and para-substituted phenols. The heterolytic BDE was estimated for the hydride transfer reaction 1H --> 1+ + H(-) (BDE approximately 127 kcal/mol). These comparisons reveal the O-H bond in 1H to be among the strongest of any Mn-hydroxo complex measured thus far. In three successive H atom transfer steps, 1H abstracts three hydrogen atoms from three pzH molecules to form complex 2. Complex 2 is shown to be identical to the "pinned butterfly" cluster produced by the reaction of 1 with pzH (Ruettinger, W. F.; Dismukes, G. C. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 39, 1021-1027). The Mn oxidation states in 2 are formally Mn(4)(2II,2III), and no further reduction occurs in excess pzH. By contrast, outer-sphere electron-only reductants such as cobaltacene reduce both 1+ and 1 to the all Mn(II) oxidation level and cause cluster fragmentation. The reaction of pzH(.+) with 1+ produces 1H and the pz+ cation by net hydrogen atom transfer, and terminates at 1 equiv of pzH(.+) with no further reaction at excess. By contrast, pz* does not react with 1+ at all, indicating that reduction of 1+ by electron transfer to form pz+ does not occur without a proton (pcet to 1+ is thermodynamically required). Experimental free energy changes are shown to account for these pcet reactions and the absence of electron transfer for any of the phenothiazine series. Hydrogen atom abstraction from substrates by 1 versus hydride abstraction by 1(+ )()illustrates the transition to two-electron one-proton pcet chemistry in the [Mn(4)O(4)](7+) core that is understood on the basis of free energy consideration. This transition provides a concrete example of the predicted lowest-energy pathway for the oxidation of two water molecules to H(2)O(2) as an intermediate within the photosynthetic water-oxidizing enzyme (vs sequential one-electron/proton steps). The implications for the mechanism of photosynthetic water splitting are discussed.     

Chemical and electrochemical formation of pseudorotaxanes composed of alkyl(ferrocenylmethyl)ammmonium and dibenzo[24]crown-8

Protonation of p-xylylaminomethylferrocene (1) and n-hexylaminomethylferrocene (2) by HCl and NH(4)PF(6) forms the ferrocenylmethyl(alkyl)ammonium salt. Inclusion of the compounds by dibenzo[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) produces [2]pseudorotaxanes, [(DB24C8)(1-H)](+)(PF(6)) and [(DB24C8)(2-H)](+)(PF(6)), respectively. X-ray diffraction of the former product indicates an interlocked structure composed of the axis and the macrocyclic molecule. Intermolecular N-H...O and C-H...O interactions and stacking of the aromatic planes are observed. [(DB24C8)(1-H)](+)(PF(6)), in the solid state, is characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. A similar reaction of 1,1'-bis(p-xylylaminomethyl)ferrocene (3) forms a mixture of [2] and [3]pseudorotaxanes, [(DB24C8)(3-H(2))](2+)(PF(6))(2) and [(DB24C8)(2)(3-H(2))](2+)(PF(6))(2). The latter product having two DB24C8 molecules is isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Formation of these pseudorotaxanes in a CD(3)CN solution is evidenced by (1)H NMR and mass spectrometry. Electrochemical oxidation of 1-3 at 0.4 V (vs Ag(+)/Ag) in the presence of TEMPOH (1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) and DB24C8 affords the corresponding pseudorotaxanes. The ESR spectrum of the reaction mixture indicates the formation of a TEMPO radical in high yield. Details of the conversion of the dialkylamino group of the ligand to the dialkylammonium group are investigated by using a flow electrolysis method linked to spectroscopic measurements. The proposed mechanism for the reaction involves the ferrocenium species, formed by initial oxidation, which undergoes electron transfer from nitrogen to the Fe(III) center, producing a cation radical at the nitrogen. Transfer of hydrogen from TEMPOH to the cation radical and inclusion of the resulting dialkylammonium species by DB24C8 yields the pseudorotaxanes.