| Abstract: | Photochemical or thermal decomposition of azo‐compounds (such as 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, dialkyl peroxides (such as tert‐butyl peroxide and diacyl peroxides (such as benzoyl peroxide) in anaerobic nitric oxide (NO)‐saturated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or aqueous solutions yielded nitroxides. Well‐characterized electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of nitroxides revealed that NO was favorable for reacting with carbon‐centered and less stereo‐inhibited transient alkyl radicals, giving kinds of nitrosoalkane, typically nitrosomethane, which act sequentially as C‐nitroso compounds to trap transient radicals present in solution, yielding spin‐trapping adducts, i.e. nitroxides. Radicals, including sulfinyl radicals from UV‐irradiated DMSO, were trapped by the in situ formed CH3NO. O‐centered radicals could not add to the freshly formed C‐nitroso compounds. Possible mechanisms are suggested. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
