ESR spectra and the behavior of substituted indophenoxyl radicals

ESR spectra and structure are compared for radicals formed from substituted indophenols by oxidation (substituents CH₃, i-C₃H₇, t-C₄H₉, t-C₅H₁₁, cyclohexyl). The unpaired electron interacts with the nitrogen and with the hydrogen in the ortho and meta positions of both benzene rings. A kinetic equation of first order with respect to the indophenol applies to the reaction of the latter with benzoyl peroxide. The loss of indophenoxyl radicals in benzene obeys an equation of second order in the radical concentration. The rate constants for radicals with various substituents indicate the radical stability, which falls greatly in going from ones with ortho-t-alkyl substituents to ones with less highly branched groups.