Out-of-Plane Distortions of Chlorinated Nitrobenzene Radical Anions

According to UHF/INDO calculations of the model conformations of the chlorinated nitrobenzene radical anions, the rotation of the nitro group relative to the plane of the benzene ring is accompanied by its pyramidal deformation caused by the pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect. The degree of the structural distortions of the chlorinated nitrobenzene radical anions depends on the arrangement of the chlorine atoms in the benzene ring and on the solvent, increasing from DMF to its mixtures with water. The isotropic hyperfine coupling constants and their dependence on the water content in a binary mixture of solvents are interpreted for a number of chlorinated nitrobenzene radical anions.     

Solvation Dependences of Isotropic Hyperfine Interaction Constants and out-of-Plane Distortions of ortho-Substituted Nitrobenzene Radical Anions

For a number of ortho-substituted nitrobenzene radical anions (RAs) generated in DMF and its binary mixtures with water, it is shown that for radical anions with a substituent of minor effective volume in one ortho position to the nitro group, the dependences of the isotropic hyperfine interaction (ihfi) constants on the mole fraction of water are S-like and dictated by the medium composition and the concerted out-of-plane rotational and pyramidal distortions of the nitro group of the radical anion. The S-like shape of the solvation dependences of the ihfi constants is dictated by the dominant rotational distortions of the nitro group. For most radical anions with two ortho substituents or with one ortho substituent with a large effective volume, the S-like dependences are not observed, and the values of the nitrogen ihfi constants depend on the dominant pyramidal distortion of the nitro group. For the 2-tert-butylnitrobenzene radical anion in water, the nitrogen ihfi constant is a_N=25.62 G, which is typical of nitroaliphatic radical anions. This effect is explained based on the pyramidal structure of the nitro group in the case of its large rotation angles.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazolium Salts Bearing Fluorinated Anions

The reaction of 1‐methylimidazole and α,α‐dibromo‐p‐xylene was followed by a metathesis reaction with fluorinated anion sources, which yielded new fluorinated imidazolium salts [C₆H₄(CH₂(C₄H₆N₂)₂]²⁺ 2[A]^– where A = BF₄ ( 2 ), PF₆ ( 3 ), CF₃SO₃ ( 4 ), and CF₃COO ( 5 ). The compounds were characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ¹⁹F‐, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction data of compounds 2 , 3 , and 4 were also reported, whereas compound 5 was found to be a liquid. The solid compounds crystallized in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group and have similar crystallographic parameters. The study revealed that the different fluorinated anions affected the spatial arrangement of atoms and the extent of cation–anion interactions, hence, influenced the stability and coordination properties of the imidazolium salts. A trend was observed which related the strength of cation–anion interaction to physical properties such as melting point.     

Dissociation Chemistry of Hydrogen-Deficient Radical Peptide Anions

The fragmentation chemistry of anionic deprotonated hydrogen-deficient radical peptides is investigated. Homolytic photodissociation of carbon–iodine bonds with 266 nm light is used to generate the radical species, which are subsequently subjected to collisional activation to induce further dissociation. The charges do not play a central role in the fragmentation chemistry; hence deprotonated peptides that fragment via radical directed dissociation do so via mechanisms which have been reported previously for protonated peptides. However, charge polarity does influence the overall fragmentation of the peptide. For example, the absence of mobile protons favors radical directed dissociation for singly deprotonated peptides. Similarly, a favorable dissociation mechanism initiated at the N-terminus is more notable for anionic peptides where the N-terminus is not protonated (which inhibits the mechanism). In addition, collisional activation of the anionic peptides containing carbon–iodine bonds leads to homolytic cleavage and generation of the radical species, which is not observed for protonated peptides presumably due to competition from lower energy dissociation channels. Finally, for multiply deprotonated radical peptides, electron detachment becomes a competitive channel both during the initial photoactivation and following subsequent collisional activation of the radical. Possible mechanisms that might account for this novel collision-induced electron detachment are discussed.     

The Radical Cations and the Radical Anions of Some Weitz-Type S-Donors

The radical cations and the radical anions of 1,6-dithiapyrene ( 1 ) and 3,10-dithiaperylene ( 2 ) as well as those of three further Weitz-type S-donors 3 , 4 , and 5 have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The experimental findings for (widths and behaviour on saturation of hyperfine lines) suggest that the ground state of this radical anion is effectively degenerate. With the exception of , the ESR studies of all radical ions could be complemented by the use of the ENDOR and general TRIPLE resonance techniques. In addition to proton hyperfine data, ³³S coupling constants have been determined for (0.53mT), (0.46mT), and (0.34mT); they are in agreement with the predicted substantial π-spin populations at the S-atoms.     

On the Dissociation of Aromatic Radical Anions in Solution

A new theoretical formulation is given for the reaction rate and path for the important reaction class of aromatic radical anion dissociation in solution [Ar? X]^?.→Ar^.+X^?, and is illustrated for the case of the cyanochlorobenzene radical anion [CN? Φ? Cl]^?. in dimethylformamide. Among the theory's novel features is the inclusion of the conical intersection aspect of this ground electronic state problem, which is key in allowing the reaction to occur and which has a significant impact on the reaction barrier height. Reasonable agreement with the experimental rate is found.     

Isomerization of the Radical Anions of 6a-Thiathiophthenes

The radical anions of 6a-thiathiophthenes ([1,2]dithiolo[1,5-b] [1,2]dithioles), I(R), convert into those of 4H-thiapyran-4-thiones, III(R), via cis-trans isomerization. The reaction is slowed down when the size of the substituent R in the 2,5-positions of 6a-thiathiophthene increases, and it is prevented by the introduction of a 3,4-polymethylene bridge. The primary and the secondary radical anions, I(R)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document} and III(R)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, respectively, exhibit very similar hyperfine splitting patterns. E.g., in the case of the unsubstituted 6a-thiathiophthene, I(H), and 4H-thiapyran-4-thione, III(H), the proton coupling constants are a_H2,5=6.72 and a_H3,4=1.73 Gauss for I(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, and a_H2,6=6.35 and a_H3,5=2.07 Gauss for III(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}. In contrast to I(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, cis-trans isomerization could not thus far be proved to occur with its 1,6-dioxa-analogue, IV(H)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ ^{\ominus \atop \dot{}} $\end{document}, since no ESR. spectrum of the radical anion of 4H-pyran-4-thione, V(H), was detected upon reduction of IV(H).     

The Radical Anions of Some Benzo-Derivatives of Dehydrocyclooctatetraenes

The radical anions of 5,6-didehydrobenzocyclooctene ( 3 ), 5,6,9,10-tetradehydrobenzocyclooctene ( 4 ) and 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-5,6-didehydrodibenzo[a, e]-cyclooctene ( 6 ) were prepared in situ from dibromo-precursors and have been characterized by ESR and ENDOR spectroscopy.     

ESR. Spectra of Radical Anions in the Cyclazine Series

The ESR. spectra of the radical anions of three cyclazines are described. Their π-spin distributions are discussed in terms of simple MO theory and compared with those of structurally related species.     

ESR. Spectra of the Radical Anions of Cycloalkylbenzenes

Radical anions of five cycloalkylbenzenes (alkyl = propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, or heptyl) have been studied by ESR. spectroscopy at ?90°C. In the case of cyclopropylbenzene, no reliable experimental data could be obtained, because of the instability of its radical anion. The spectra of the radical anions of the four higher homologues have been analysed by means of a computer program. The assignment of the coupling constants to the α-protons in the para position of the benzene ring and to the cycloalkyl ß-protons has been based on the spectra of specifically deuterated derivatives. The experimental data of the radical anion of cycloalkylbenzenes have been compared with those of the radical anions of five alkylbenzenes (alkyl = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, or t-butyl), the spectra of the latter being reexamined at ?90°C. In the cycloalkyl series the degeneracy of the two benzene-type lowest antibonding orbitals is the more effectively removed the larger the substituent, whereas the reverse relation holds for the non-cyclic series. The preferred conformation of the substituents is that in which the alkyl or cycloalkyl ß-proton is near to the nodal plane of the benzene π-system, and this preference is accentuated with the increasing size of the substituent group.     

Aromatic Radical Anions with Parallel or Crossed Triple Bonds

Proton hyperfine data are reported for the radical anions of 1,8-di (propyn-1-yl)-naphthalene (I), 7,8,12,13-tetradehydro-10,11-dihydro-9H-cyclodeca[d,e]naphthalene (II) and 2,2′-di(propyn-1-yl)-biphenyl (III), as well as of 5,6,11,12-tetradehydro-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-dibenzo[a,c]cyclodecene (IV) and its 8,8,9,9-tetradeuterio-derivative (IV-d₄). The triple bonds in I and II can be regarded as roughly parallel, while those in IV (and IV-d₄) may be considered as crossed. The π-spin distributions in I? to IV? are discussed in terms of simple MO models which suggest a weekly bonding interaction between the acetylenic fragments in IV?, in contrast to III? where such an effect appears to be negligible. The importance of an analogous interaction in I? and II? is difficult to deduce, since its inclusion into a MO model does not substantially affect the π-spin distribution in these radical anions.     

Radical Cations and Radical Anions of Three Bridgehead Azopolycycloalkanes: A Fluid-Solution ESR Study

The radical mono-ions of three azoalkanes in which the azo group is connected to the polycyclic alkane moieties at the bridgehead C-atoms, i. e. 1,1′-azonorbornane ( 1 ), 1,1′-azotwistane ( 2 ), and 1,1′-azobi-cyclo[3.2.1]octane ( 3 ), were studied in fluid solution by ESR spectroscopy. According to the ESR parameters and MO models, the radical cations of 1 – 3 should be considered as σ radicals, whereas the corresponding radical anions are π radicals. INDO calculations point to a remarkable dependence of the ^l4N-coupling constants on the geometry at the N-atoms in the radical cations of aliphatic azo compounds.     

Radical Cations and Radical Anions of Three Bridgehead Azopolycycloalkanes: A fluid-solution ESR study

The radical mono-ions of three azoalkanes in which the azo group is connected to the polycyclic alkane moieties at the bridgehead C-atoms, i.e. 1,1′-azonorbornane ( 1 ), 1,1′-azotwistane ( 2 ), and 1,1′-azobicyclo[3.2.1]octane ( 3 ), were studied in fluid solution by ESR spectroscopy. According to the ESR parameters and MO models, the radical cations of 1–3 should be considered as σ radicals, whereas the corresponding radical anions are π radicals. INDO calculations point to a a remarkable dependence of the ¹⁴N-coupling constants on the geometry at the N-atoms in the radical cations of aliphatic azo compounds.     

Radical Anions from Urea‐type Carbonyls: Radical Cyclizations and Cyclization Cascades

Radical anions generated from urea carbonyls by reductive electron transfer are exploited in carbon–carbon bond formation. New radical cyclizations of urea radical anions deliver complex nitrogen heterocycles and, depending upon the proton source used in the reactions, a chemoselective switch between reaction pathways can deliver two heterobicyclic scaffolds. A computational study has been used to investigate the selectivity of the urea radical processes. Furthermore, radical cyclization cascades involving urea radical anions deliver unusual spirocyclic aminal architectures.     

ESR-Spectroscopic Investigation of Radical Cations,Radical Anions,and Radical Trianions of Didehydro[n]annulenes

The didehydro[n]annulenes 1 (n = 14), 2 (n = 18), and 3 (n = 22) are oxidized to radical cations. Reduction of the title compounds leads to radical anions and, in the case of 2 and 3 , to radical trianions. The hyperfine data of the paramagnetic derivatives are rationalized in terms of the occupation of n-membered (n = 14, 18, 22) π-perimeter MO's (HOMO, LUMO, NLUMO). The contact-ion pairs of the radical anions show unexpectedly large alkali-metal coupling constants.     

Radical Anions of Polyalkylazulenes: An ESR and ENDOR Study

Proton-hyperfine data are reported for the radical anions generated from azulene ( 1 ) and its alkyl derivatives 2 – 11 in 1,2-dimethoxyethane both ‘chemically’ with K and electrolytically. The alkyl derivatives are 1,3-dimethyl- ( 2 ), 5,7-dimethyl- ( 3 ), 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl- ( 4 ), 2-methyl- ( 5 ), 4,6,8-trimethyl- ( 6 ), 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-( 7 ), 1,3,4,6,8-pentamethyl- ( 8 ), 1,3,4,8-tetramethyl-6-propyl- ( 9 ), 6-(tert-butyl)-1,3,4,8-tetramethyl- ( 10 ), and 1,2,3,4,6,8-hexamethylazulene ( 11 ). Alkyl substituents at the odd-numbered centers μ = 1, 3, 5, and 7 partly shift the π-spin population from the seven- to the five-membered ring, whereas those at the even-numbered centers μ = 4, 6, and 8 exert an opposite effect on the π-spin distribution.     

The Radical Anions of Some Substituted [2.2]Paracyclophanes

The radical anions of the following substituted [2.2]paracyclophanes have been characterized by ESR. and ENDOR. spectroscopy: 4, 16-dicyano- ( o - 2 ), 4, 12-dicyano- ( p - 2 ), 4,5,12,13-tetracyano- ( 3 ) and 4,5,12,13-tetrakis (alkoxycarbonyl)- [2.2]paracyclophanes ( 4-R , where R = Me, Et, iPr or tBu is the ester alkyl group); 4,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)[2.2]paracyclophane-12, 13-dicarboxylic anhydride ( 5 ); [2.2]paracyclophane-4,5:12, 13-tetracarboxylic bisanhydride ( 6 ) and bisimides ( 7-R , where R = H, D, Me or Ph is the substituent at the imide N-atom). Comparison of the hyperfine data for these radical anions with those for analogously substituted derivatives of benzene indicates that the most prominent coupling constants are approximately halved on passing from the latter to the former. Lowering of the symmetry, as a consequence of ion pairing, has been observed for the radical anions 4- i Pr \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$^{\ominus \atop \dot{}}$\end{document} and 4- t Bu \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$^{\ominus \atop \dot{}}$\end{document} associated with the counterion K ⊕ in 1,2-dimethoxyethane at 183 K, but not for 4-Me \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$^{\ominus \atop \dot{}}$\end{document} and 4-Et \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$^{\ominus \atop \dot{}}$\end{document} under the same conditions. This result suggests that the migration of K ⊕ between the preferred sited in two equivalent ion pairs is slowed down by the steric hindrance arising from the bulky iPr and tBu ester groups.