The Radical Anions of [2.2]Paracyclophane-1,9-diene and Some of its Derivatives. An Unexpected Conformational Interconversion

The radical anions of [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene ( 2 ) and its 1,10,12,13,15,16-hexadeuterio derivative 2 -D₆, as well as those of 4,5,7,8-tetramethyl[2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene ( 3 ) and its 12,13,15,16-tetradeuterio derivative 3 -D₄, have been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The coupling constants for 2 ^?· at 178 K are 0.422 mT for four equivalent olefinic protons and 0.046 and 0.020 mT, each for a set of four equivalent aromatic protons. This hyperfine pattern is consistent with either benzene ring bearing two pairs of equivalent protons and it points to a lowering of the anticipated D_2h symmetry. The ESR spectra of 2 ^?· are strongly temperature dependent, due to modulation of the two coupling constants of 0.046 and 0.020 mT; these have opposite signs and average to 0.013 mT at 273 K. The experimental findings are interpreted in terms of a transition state of D_2h symmetry, 33 kJ/mol above two interconverting equivalent conformations of lower symmetry. Several pieces of evidence suggest that this symmetry is D₂, i.e., the benzene rings in 2 ^?· are twisted in opposite directions about the vertical axis. Temperature dependence of the ESR spectra, resulting from modulation of the hyperfine interactions with the aromatic protons, is also observed for 2 -D₆^?· and 3 ^?·. In the case of 3 ^?·, the olefinic protons are, as expected, only equivalent in pairs, the pertinent coupling constants being 0.560 and 0.325 mT. Upon standing at low temperatures, 2 ^?· and 3 ^?· gradually convert into the radical anions of [2.2]paracyclophane ( 1 ) and its 4,5,7,8-tetramethyl derivative, respectively. At higher temperatures, cleavage of one bridging chain in 2 ^?· also occurs, with the formation of the radical anion of (E)-4,4′-dimethylstilbene ( 7 ). Both reactions of 2 ^?· must involve the transient radical anion of [2.2]paracyclophane-1-ene ( 4 ) as proved by the observation of the spectra of 1 ^?· and 7 ^?· with 4 as the starting material.