Reactivity and acid-base behavior of ring-methoxylated arylalkanoic acid radical cations and radical zwitterions in aqueous solution. Influence of structural effects and pH on the benzylic C-H deprotonation pathway

A product and time-resolved kinetic study of the one-electron oxidation of ring-methoxylated phenylpropanoic and phenylbutanoic acids (Ar(CH2)nCO2H, n = 2, 3) has been carried out at different pH values. Oxidation leads to the formation of aromatic radical cations (Ar.+(CH2)nCO2H) or radical zwitterions (Ar.+(CH2)nCO2-) depending on pH, and pKa values for the corresponding acid-base equilibria have been measured. In the radical cation, the acidity of the carboxylic proton decreases by increasing the number of methoxy ring substituents and by increasing the distance between the carboxylic group and the aromatic ring. At pH 1.7 or 6.7, the radical cations or radical zwitterions undergo benzylic C-H deprotonation as the exclusive side-chain fragmentation pathway, as clearly shown by product analysis results. At pH 1.7, the first-order deprotonation rate constants measured for the ring-methoxylated arylalkanoic acid radical cations are similar to those measured previously in acidic aqueous solution for the alpha-C-H deprotonation of structurally related ring-methoxylated alkylaromatic radical cations. In basic solution, the second-order rate constants for reaction of the radical zwitterions with (-)OH (k-OH)) have been obtained. These values are similar to those obtained previously for the (-)OH-induced alpha-C-H deprotonation of structurally related ring-methoxylated alkylaromatic radical cations, indicating that under these conditions the radical zwitterions undergo benzylic C-H deprotonation. Very interestingly, with 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethanoic acid radical zwitterion, that was previously observed to undergo exclusive decarboxylation up to pH 10, competition between decarboxylation and benzylic C-H deprotonation is observed above pH 11.     

Photosensitized oxidation of alkyl phenyl sulfoxides. C-S bond cleavage in alkyl phenyl sulfoxide radical cations

The 3-cyano-N-methylquinolinium perchlorate (3-CN-NMQ(+)ClO4(-))-photosensitized oxidation of phenyl alkyl sulfoxides (PhSOCR1R2R3, 1, R1 = R2 = H, R3 = Ph; 2, R1 = H, R2 = Me, R3 = Ph; 3, R1 = R2 = Ph, R3 = H; 4, R1 = R2 = Me, R3 = Ph; 5, R1 = R2 = R3 = Me) has been investigated by steady-state irradiation and nanosecond laser flash photolysis (LFP) under nitrogen in MeCN. Steady-state photolysis showed the formation of products deriving from the heterolytic C-S bond cleavage in the sulfoxide radical cations (alcohols, R1R2R3COH, and acetamides, R1R2R3CNHCOCH3) accompanied by sulfur-containing products (phenyl benzenethiosulfinate, diphenyl disulfide, and phenyl benzenethiosulfonate). By laser irradiation, the formation of 3-CN-NMQ(*) (lambda(max) = 390 nm) and sulfoxide radical cations 1(*+) , 2(*+), and 5(*+) (lambda(max) = 550 nm) was observed within the laser pulse. The radical cations decayed by first-order kinetics with a process attributable to the heterolytic C-S bond cleavage leading to the sulfinyl radical and an alkyl carbocation. The radical cations 3(*+) and 4(*+) fragment too rapidly, decaying within the laser pulse. The absorption band of the cation Ph2CH(+) (lambda(max) = 440 nm) was observed with 3 while the absorption bands of 3-CN-NMQ(*) and PhSO(*) (lambda(max) = 460 nm) were observed just after the laser pulse in the LFP experiment with 4. No competitive beta-C-H bond cleavage has been observed in the radical cations from 1-3. The C-S bond cleavage rates were measured for 1(*+), 2(*+), and 5(*+). For 3(*+) and 4(*+), only a lower limit (ca. >3 x 10(7) s(-1)) could be given. Quantum yields (Phi) and fragmentation first-order rate constants (k) appear to depend on the structure of the alkyl group and on the bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of the C-S bond of the radical cations determined by a thermochemical cycle using the C-S BDEs for the neutral sulfoxides 1-5 obtained by DFT calculations. Namely, Phi and k increase as the C-S BDFE becomes more negative, that is in the order 1 < 5 < 2 < 3, 4, which is also the stability order of the alkyl carbocations formed in the cleavage. An estimate of the difference in the C-S bond cleavage rate between sulfoxide and sulfide radical cations was possible by comparing the fragmentation rate of 5(*+) (1.4 x 10(6) s(-1)) with the upper limit (10(4) s(-1)) given for tert-butyl phenyl sulfide radical cation (Baciocchi, E.; Del Giacco, T.; Gerini, M. F.; Lanzalunga, O. Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 641-644). It turns out that sulfoxide radical cations undergo C-S bond breaking at a rate at least 2 orders of magnitude faster than that of corresponding sulfide radical cations.     

Photosensitized reactions of oxime ethers: a steady-state and laser flash photolysis study

The mechanistic aspects of the photosensitized reactions of a series of oxime ethers were studied by steady-state (product studies) and laser flash photolysis methods. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis studies have shown that chloranil-sensitized reactions of the oxime ethers result in the formation of the corresponding radical cations. The radical cation species react with nucleophiles such as MeOH by clean second-order kinetics with rate constants of (0.7-1.4) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1). Only a small steric effect is observed in these reactions, which is taken as an indication that the reaction center is not the O-alkyl moiety, but rather somewhere else in the molecule. Product studies in a polar nonnucleophilic solvent (MeCN) revealed that in order for the oxime ether radical cation to react more readily, alpha-protons must be available on the alkyl group. The O-methyl (1), O-ethyl (2), and O-benzyl (3) acetophenone oximes all reacted readily to give acetophenone oxime as the major product (as well as an aldehyde derived from the O-alkyl group), whereas O-tert-butyl acetophenone oxime (4) did not. The product formation can be explained by a mechanism that involves electron transfer followed by proton transfer (alpha to the oxygen) and subsequent beta-cleavage. When using 3 in MeOH, a change in the product formation is observed, the most important difference being the presence of benzyl alcohol rather than benzaldehyde as the major product. On the basis of the data from LFP and steady-state experiments, it is suggested that the competing mechanism under these conditions involves electron transfer, followed by a nucleophilic attack on the nitrogen, a MeOH-assisted [1,3]-proton transfer, and subsequent loss of benzyl alcohol. This mechanism is supported by DFT (B3LYP/6-31G) and AM1 calculations.     

Water compatible gold(III)-catalysed synthesis of unsymmetrical ethers from alcohols

An efficient and broad-scoped method for the preparation of unsymmetrical ethers from alcohols catalysed by the simplest and least expensive gold catalyst, NaAuCl(4), is described for the first time. The procedure enables the etherification of benzylic and tertiary alcohols with moderate to good yields under mild conditions with low catalyst loading. Symmetrical ethers, the usual side products in the etherification of alcohols, were not detected in this case. The formation of the racemic ether from a chiral benzyl alcohol suggests the intermediacy of a carbocation, which has not previously been postulated for gold-catalysed reactions involving alcohols.     

A study of gas-phase reactions of radical cations of mono- and dihaloethenes with alcohols by FT-ICR spectrometry and molecular orbital calculations: substitution versus oxidation

The ion-molecule reactions of the radical cations of vinyl chloride (1), vinyl bromide (2), 1,2-dichloroethene (3), 1,2-dibromoethene (4), 1,1-dichloroethene (5), and 1,1-dibromoethene (6) with methanol (MeOH) and ethanol (EtOH) have been studied by FT-ICR spectrometry. In the case of EtOH as reactant the oxidation of the alcohol to protonated acetaldehyde by a formal hydride transfer to the haloethene radical cation is the main process if not only reaction observed with the exception of the 1,2-dibromoethene radical cation which exhibits slow substitution. In secondary reactions the protonated acetaldehyde transfers the proton to EtOH which subsequently undergoes a well known condensation reaction of EtOH to form protonated diethyl ether. With MeOH as reactant, the 1,2-dihaloethene radical cations of 3.+ and 4.+ exhibit no reaction, while the other haloethene radical cations undergo the analogous reaction sequence of oxidation yielding protonated formaldehyde. Generally, bromo derivatives of haloethene radical cations react predominantly by substitution and chloro derivatives by oxidation. This selectivity can be understood by the thermochemistry of the competing processes which favors substitution of Br while the effect of the halogen substituent on the formal hydride transfer is small. However, the bimolecular rate constants and reaction efficiencies of the total reactions of the haloethene radical cations with both alcohols exhibit distinct differences, which do not follow the exothermicity of the reactions. It is suggested that the substitution reaction as well as the oxidation by formal hydride transfer proceeds by mechanisms which include fast and reversible addition of the alcohol to the ionized double bond of the haloethene radical cation which generates a beta-distonic oxonium ion as the crucial intermediate. This intermediate is energetically excited by the exothermic addition and fragments either directly by elimination of a halogen substituent to complete the substitution process or rearranges by hydrogen migration before dissociation into the protonated aldehyde and a beta-haloethyl radical. Reversible addition and hydrogen migrations within a long lived intermediate is proven experimentally by H/D exchange accompanying the reaction of the radical cations of vinyl chloride (1) and 1,1-dichloroethene (5) with CD3OH. The suggested mechanisms are substantiated by ab initio molecular orbital calculations.     

Reactivity of 4-vinylphenol radical cations in solution: implications for the biosynthesis of lignans

Nanosecond laser flash photolysis studies of the radical cation of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene show that the radical cation reacts with neutral 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene and non-phenolic styrenes with rate constants that range from 1 x 10(8) to 5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). Similar 4-vinylphenol radical cations such as the radical cations of isoeugenol and coniferyl alcohol display reduced reactivity, presumably due to the presence of beta-alkyl substituents. Overall, the results show that the reactivity of 4-vinylphenol radical cations with neutral styrenes parallels the reactivity of non-phenolic styrene radical cations, which are known to undergo efficient radical cation mediated dimerization reactions to give lignan-like compounds. The possibility that the biosynthesis of some lignans may follow a radical cation mediated mechanism is discussed.     

A ring walk of methylene groups in toluene radical cations. An extension of the toluene-cycloheptatriene rearrangement of aromatic radical cations. Theory and experiment

The minimum energy reaction pathway (MERP) of the toluene-cycloheptatriene radical cation rearrangement (TOL/CHT-rearrangement) has been calculated by the UHF and DFT model at the level UHF/6-311+G(3df,2p)//UHF/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYp/6-31G(d), respectively, including the ring walk of the substituent by a 1,2-shift around the aromatic ring. This ring walk corresponds to interconversion of distonic ions and norcaradiene radical cations (the two intermediates of the TOL/CHT-rearrangement) by making and breaking of the external C-C bonds of the cyclopropane moiety of the intermediate norcaradiene structure. For toluene radical cation 1, UHF calculations adequately reproduce earlier results(4) and show, that the ring walk of the CH(3)-substituents requires slightly more energy than formation of the cycloheptatriene radical cation. By the DFT model, the distonic ion, which is formed initially by a 1,2-H shift from CH(3) to the benzene ring, is not stable but the transition state of an interconversion of norcaradiene radical cations along a ring walk of the CH(3) substituent. The activation energy for this ring walk exceeds that for formation of the cycloheptatriene radical cation by c. 30 kJ mol(-1). Thus, isomerization of 1 by a ring walk of the CH(3)-substituent competes with the TOL/CHT-rearrangement likely only for excited 1. The calculation was repeated for the MERPs of a TOL/CHT-rearrangement of para-xylene radical cation 5 and ethylbenzene radical cation 2, yielding basically the same results as for 1. According to the calculation, polar substituents alter significantly the relative energies of the competing routes of isomerization. For benzylcyanide 3 (X = CN), the activation energy for a ring walk of the NC-CH(2)-substituent is distinctly below that of a ring enlargement. For benzyl methyl ether 4 (X = OCH(3)), the distonic intermediate along the UHF-MERP is unusually stable. Further, the 7-methoxy-norcaradiene radical ion is unstable and corresponds to a transition state between isomeric distonic intermediates differing by a 1,2-shift of the side chain. In contrast, the 7-methoxy-norcaradiene radical ion is the only intermediate of the DFT-MERP, and the distonic ion is the transition state for a 1,2-shift of the cyclopropane ring. A ring walk of the CH(3)OCH(2)-substituent is much more favorable than formation of a 7-methoxy-cycloheptatriene radical cation in both MERPs. The findings of the theoretical calculation are substantiated by the mass spectrometric fragmentations of meta- and para-methoxymethylated 1-phenylethanols 8 and 9 and of para-methoxymethyl substituted benzyl ethyl ether 10 and benzyl n-propyl ether 11. Important fragmentation routes of metastable molecular ions of these compounds correspond to elimination of alcohols. Use of deuterated derivatives shows that the elimination occurs by a "false" ortho-effect which requires migration of a ROCH(2)-substituent around the benzene ring. Results of particular interest are obtained for the asymmetric bis-ethers 10 and 11. Here, the MIKE spectra of the molecular ions of deuterated analogs reveal a selective ring walk of the C(2)H(5)OCH(2)- and n-C(3)H(7)OCH(2)-side chain, respectively.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation reactions of porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo intermediates

The kinetics of the reactions of three porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo derivatives with alkenes and benzylic alcohols were measured. The iron-oxo systems studied were 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo (2a), 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo (2b), and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo (2c). Species 2 were stable for hours at room temperature as dilute solutions in acetonitrile and reacted hundreds to thousands of times faster in the presence of high concentrations of substrates. Typical second-order rate constants determined from pseudo-first-order kinetic studies are 1-2 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) for reactions with styrene and 3 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1) for reactions with benzyl alcohol. The reactivity order for the iron-oxo species was 2a > 2b > 2c, which is inverted from that expected on the basis of the electron demand of the porphyrin macrocycles, and the oxidation reaction was suppressed when excess porphyrin-iron(III) complex was added to reaction mixtures. These observations indicate that the reactions involve disproportionation of the iron(IV)-oxo species 2 to give an iron(III) species and a more highly oxidized iron species, presumed to be an iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin radical cation, that is the true oxidant in the reactions. Analyses of the kinetics of oxidations of a series of para-substituted benzylic alcohols with Hammett sigma+ -substituent constants and with a dual-parameter method developed by Jiang (Jiang, X. K. Acc. Chem. Res. 1997, 30, 283) indicated that considerable positive charge developed on the benzylic carbons in the oxidation reactions, as expected for electrophilic oxidants, and also that substantial radical character developed on the benzyl carbon in the transition states.     

9,10-二氰基蒽光敏夺氢反应的研究

本文研究了缺电子敏化剂9,10-二氰基蒽(DCA)对苄醇类化合物(二苯甲醇、苯甲醇)及甲苯类化合物(甲苯、对-二甲苯)的光敏化夺氢反应,证明上述两类反应是经由两种不同机制进行的。     

Anodic oxidations and polarity: exploring the chemistry of olefinic radical cations

The cyclization chemistry of radical cations derived from electron-rich olefins has been examined and the relationship between the polarization of the radical cation and the chemoselectivity of the reaction probed. It was found that more polarized radical cations favor carbon-carbon bond formation while less polarized radical cations favor carbon-heteroatom bond formation. A new approach to the synthesis of quaternary carbons was uncovered and the compatibility of ene diol ethers with anodic olefin coupling reactions examined.     

The deprotonation of benzyl alcohol radical cations: a mechanistic dichotomy in the gas phase as in solution

The gas-phase acidity of ionized benzyl alcohol and of some of its derivatives with selected reference bases has been studied by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. The aim was to relate the gas-phase reactivity to the behavior in aqueous solution of the radical cations of benzyl alcohols bearing methoxy substituent(s) on the phenyl ring which are known to undergo deprotonation at both the CH2 and OH groups. The dual reactivity behavior is confirmed in the gas phase, in which the prototypical ion, C6H5CH2OH*+, is deprotonated at both the CH2 and OH groups, whereas the ring hydrogens are not involved. An increasing extent of O-deprotonation is shown as the strength of the base increases. Appropriate methyl substitution, as in the radical cations of C6H5C(Me)2OH and C6H5CH2OMe, allows only O- or C-acidity. The two processes are characterized by comparable thermodynamic features with a Gas-phase Basicity (GB) value of 852 kJ mol(-1) for the cumyloxyl radical and 850 kJ mol(-1) for the alpha-methoxybenzyl radical. The possible origin of the observed mechanistic dichotomy is discussed.     

Generation and reactions of radical cations from the photolysis of aromatic compounds with tetranitromethane in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexa-fluoropropan-2-ol

The generation and reactions of aromatic radical cations by photolysis of ArH-tetranitromethane in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexfluoropropan-2-ol (HFP) at room temperature has been investigated. The primary radical cations (ArH^⊙?) were detectable by EPR spectroscopy in most cases where E ^o(Ar^⊙?/ArH) 1.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Secondary radical cations were obtained from pentamethylbenzene and durene (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octamethyl- and 1,2,4,5,6,8-hexamethyl-anthraceneradical cation), from certain naphthalenes (dehydrodimer radical cations, Ar?Ar^⊙?) and from 2,3-dimethylanisole (the radical of a nitroso derivative). The persistence of the radical cations in the presence of trinitromethanide ion is seen as a consequence of the stabilization of the nucleophile by HFP. This assumption was supported by preparative results on 1-methoxynaphthalene and 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, where the trinitromethanide ion initiated pathway was completely eliminated in HFP, contrary to results earlier obtained in dichloromethane.     

Cu(II) 2-quinoxalinol salen catalyzed oxidation of propargylic,benzylic, and allylic alcohols using tert-butyl hydroperoxide in aqueous solutions

The synthesis of carbonyl compounds by oxidation of alcohols is a key reaction in organic synthesis. Such oxidations are typically conducted using catalysts featuring toxic metals and hazardous organic solvents. Considering green and sustainable chemistry, a copper(II) complex of sulfonated 2-quinoxalinol salen (sulfosalqu) has been characterized as an efficient catalyst for the selective oxidation of propargylic, benzylic, and allylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds in water when in combination with the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The reactions proceed under mild conditions (70 °C in water) to produce yields up to 99% with only 1 mol % of catalyst loading. This reaction constitutes of a rare example of propargylic alcohol oxidation in water, and it makes this process greener by eliminating the use of hazardous organic solvents. Excellent selectivity was achieved with this catalytic protocol for the oxidation of propargylic, benzylic, and allylic alcohols over aliphatic alcohols. The alcohol oxidation is thought to go through a radical pathway.     

Structure and C-S bond cleavage in aryl 1-methyl-1-arylethyl sulfide radical cations

Steady state and laser flash photolysis (LFP) of a series of p-X-cumyl phenyl sulfides (4-X-C(6)H(4)C(CH(3))(2)SC(6)H(5): 1, X = Br; 2, X = H; 3, X = CH(3); 4, X = OCH(3)) and p-X-cumyl p-methoxyphenyl sulfides (4-X-C(6)H(4)C(CH(3))(2)SC(6)H(4)OCH(3): 5, X = H; 6, X = CH(3); 7, X = OCH(3)) has been carried out in the presence of N-methoxy phenanthridinium hexafluorophosphate (MeOP(+)PF(6)(-)) under nitrogen in MeCN. Steady state photolysis showed the formation of products deriving from the C-S bond cleavage in the radical cations 1(+?)-7(+?) (2-aryl-2-propanols and diaryl disulfides). Formation of 1(+?)-7(+?) was also demonstrated by LFP experiments evidencing the absorption bands of the radical cations 1(+?)-3(+?) (λ(max) = 530 nm) and 5(+?)-7(+?) (λ(max) = 570 nm) mainly localized in the arylsulfenyl group and radical cation 4(+?) (λ(max) = 410, 700 nm) probably mainly localized in the cumyl ring. The radical cations decayed by first-order kinetics with a process attributable to the C-S bond cleavage. On the basis of DFT calculations it has been suggested that the conformations most suitable for C-S bond cleavage in 1(+?)-4(+?) and 7(+?) are characterized by having the C-S bond almost collinear with the π system of the cumyl ring and by a significant charge and spin delocalization from the ArS ring to the cumyl ring. Such a delocalization is probably at the origin of the observation that the rates of C-S bond cleavage result in very little sensitivity to changes in the C-S bond dissociation free energy (BDFE). A quite large reorganization energy value (λ = 43.7 kcal mol(-1)) has been calculated for the C-S bond scission reaction in the radical cation. This value is much larger than that (λ = 12 kcal mol(-1)) found for the C-C bond cleavage in bicumyl radical cations, a reaction that also leads to cumyl carbocations.     

Aryl sulfoxide radical cations. Generation, spectral properties, and theoretical calculations

Aromatic sulfoxide radical cations have been generated by pulse radiolysis and laser flash photolysis techniques. In water (pulse radiolysis) the radical cations showed an intense absorption band in the UV region (ca. 300 nm) and a broad less intense band in the visible region (from 500 to 1000 nm) whose position depends on the nature of the ring substituent. At very low pulse energy, the radical cations decayed by first-order kinetics, the decay rate increasing as the pH increases. It is suggested that the decay involves a nucleophilic attack of H(2)O or OH(-) (in basic solutions) to the positively charged sulfur atom to give the radical ArSO(OH)CH(3)(*). By sensitized [N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate (NMQ(+))] laser flash photolysis (LFP) the aromatic sulfoxide radical cations were generated in acetonitrile. In these experiments, however, only the band of the radical cation in the visible region could be observed, the UV band being covered by the UV absorption of NMQ(+). The lambda(max) values of the bands in the visible region resulted almost identical to those observed in water for the same radical cations. In the LFP experiments the sulfoxide radical cations decayed by second-order kinetics at a diffusion-controlled rate, and the decay is attributed to the back electron transfer between the radical cation and NMQ(*). DFT calculations were also carried out for a number of 4-X ring substituted (X = H, Me, Br, OMe, CN) aromatic sulfoxide radical cations (and their neutral parents). In all radical cations, the conformation with the S-O bond almost coplanar with the aromatic ring is the only one corresponding to the energy minimum. The maximum of energy corresponds to the conformation where the S-O bond is perpendicular to the aromatic ring. The rotational energy barriers are not very high, ranging from 3.9 to 6.9 kcal/mol. In all radical cations, the major fraction of charge and spin density is localized on the SOMe group. However, a substantial delocalization of charge and spin on the ring (almost 50% for the 4-methoxy derivative and around 30% for the other radical cations) is also observed. This suggests some conjugative interaction between the MeSO group and the aromatic system that may become very significant when a strong electron donating substituent like the MeO group is present. The ionization energies (IE) of the 4-X ring substituted neutral aromatic sulfoxides were also calculated, which were found to satisfactorily correlate with the experimental E(p) potentials measured by cyclic voltammetry.     

Laser flash photolysis kinetic studies of enol ether radical cations. Rate constants for heterolysis of alpha-methoxy-beta-phosphatoxyalkyl radicals and for cyclizations of enol ether radical cations

Two series of enol ether radical cations were studied by laser flash photolysis methods. The radical cations were produced by heterolyses of the phosphate groups from the corresponding alpha-methoxy-beta-diethylphosphatoxy or beta-diphenylphosphatoxy radicals that were produced by 355 nm photolysis of N-hydroxypryidine-2-thione (PTOC) ester radical precursors. Syntheses of the radical precursors are described. Cyclizations of enol ether radical cations 1 gave distonic radical cations containing the diphenylalkyl radical, whereas cyclizations of enol ether radical cations 2 gave distonic radical cation products containing a diphenylcyclopropylcarbinyl radical moiety that rapidly ring-opened to a diphenylalkyl radical product. For 5-exo cyclizations, the heterolysis reactions were rate limiting, whereas for 6-exo and 7-exo cyclizations, the heterolyses were fast and the cyclizations were rate limiting. Rate constants were measured in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile solutions containing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and several Arrhenius functions were determined. The heterolysis reactions showed a strong solvent polarity effect, whereas the cyclization reactions that gave distonic radical cation products did not. Recombination reactions or deprotonations of the radical cation within the first-formed ion pair compete with diffusive escape of the ions, and the yields of distonic radical cation products were a function of solvent polarity and increased in more polar solvent mixtures. The 5-exo cyclizations were fast enough to compete efficiently with other reactions within the ion pair (k approximately 2 x 10(9) s(-1) at 20 degrees C). The 6-exo cyclization reactions of the enol ether radical cations are 100 times faster (radical cations 1) and 10 000 times faster (radical cations 2) than cyclizations of the corresponding radicals (k approximately 4 x 10(7) s(-1) at 20 degrees C). Second-order rate constants were determined for reactions of one enol ether radical cation with water and with methanol; the rate constants at ambient temperature are 1.1 x 10(6) and 1.4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), respectively.     

Spectral properties and reactivity of diarylmethanol radical cations in aqueous solution. Evidence for intramolecular charge resonance

Spectral properties and reactivities of ring-methoxylated diarylmethane and diarylmethanol radical cations, generated in aqueous solution by pulse and gamma-radiolysis and by the one-electron chemical oxidant potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate, have been studied. The radical cations display three bands in the UV, visible, and vis-NIR regions of the spectrum. The vis-NIR band is assigned to an intramolecular charge resonance interaction (CR) between the neutral donor and charged acceptor rings, as indicated by the observation that the relative intensity of the vis-NIR band compared to that of the UV and visible bands does not increase with increasing substrate concentration and that the position and intensity of this band is influenced by the ring-substitution pattern. In acidic solution (pH = 4), monomethoxylated diarylmethanol radical cations 1a.(+ -)1e.(+) decay by C(alpha)-H deprotonation [k = (1.7-1.9) x 10(4)s(-1)] through the intermediacy of a ketyl radical, which is further oxidized in the reaction medium to give the corresponding benzophenones, as evidenced by both time-resolved spectroscopic and product studies. With the dimethoxylated radical cation 2.(+), C(alpha)-H deprotonation is instead significantly slower (k = 6.7 x 10(2)s(-1)). In basic solution, 1a.(+)-1e.(+) undergo (-)OH-induced deprotonation from the alpha-OH group with k(OH.)approximately equal to 1.4 x 10(10)M(-1)s(-1), leading to a ketyl radical anion, which is oxidized in the reaction medium to the corresponding benzophenone.     

Homolytic cleavages in pyridinium ions,an excited state process

The favored fragmentation pathway for protonated and alkylated pyridinium cations of the general formula p-XC(6)H(4)CH(2)CH(2)CH=CH Py(+)R (R=H, Me; Py=pyridine) is a C-C homolytic cleavage. The tendency to form radicals is higher for alkylated pyridinium cations than for the protonated ones that can also afford closed-shell products. Theoretical calculations show that the singlet-triplet gap for transient structures with an elongated benzylic C-C bond is very low and the formation of radicals may result from mixing of these states. In addition to the notable substituent effect on the fragmentation efficiency of the cations under study, calculated results show a clear substituent effect on the singlet-triplet transitions. We also observe that triphenylphosphonium cations behave notably different. Thus, the pyridinium system that contains a p-chloro benzyl moiety loses a benzyl radical readily while the analogous triphenylphosphonium cation is very stable under the same conditions.     

Metal‐ and Reagent‐Free Dehydrogenative Formal Benzyl–Aryl Cross‐Coupling by Anodic Activation in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐Hexafluoropropan‐2‐ol

A selective dehydrogenative electrochemical functionalization of benzylic positions that employs 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoropropan‐2‐ol (HFIP) has been developed. The electrogenerated products are versatile intermediates for subsequent functionalizations as they act as masked benzylic cations that can be easily activated. Herein, we report a sustainable, scalable, and reagent‐ and metal‐free dehydrogenative formal benzyl–aryl cross‐coupling. Liberation of the benzylic cation was accomplished through the use of acid. Valuable diarylmethanes are accessible in the presence of aromatic nucleophiles. The direct application of electricity enables a safe and environmentally benign chemical transformation as oxidizers are replaced by electrons. A broad variety of different substrates and nucleophiles can be employed.     

Light-Mediated Formal Radical Deoxyfluorination of Tertiary Alcohols through Selective Single-Electron Oxidation with TEDA2+.

The synthesis of tertiary alkyl fluorides through a formal radical deoxyfluorination process is described herein. This light-mediated, catalyst-free methodology is fast and broadly applicable allowing for the preparation of C−F bonds from (hetero)benzylic, propargylic, and non-activated tertiary alcohol derivatives. Preliminary mechanistic studies support that the key step of the reaction is the single-electron oxidation of cesium oxalates—which are readily available from the corresponding tertiary alcohols—with in situ generated TEDA^2+. (TEDA: N-(chloromethyl)triethylenediamine), a radical cation derived from Selectfluor®.