Nanosecond and picosecond laser flash photolysis studies of 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylmethanes

The transient absorption spectra of the 2,2′-dinitrodiphenylmethanes 1a–1c in solution were examined in the picosecond and nanosecond time ranges. The absorption bands, observed at 420–450 nm on 355 nm (18 ps) excitation of these compounds, were attributed to the nitronic acids 2a–2c, formed through the singlet-state- mediated intramolecular hydrogen abstraction and the triplet states of 1a–1c. Biradical intermediates, formed through the intramolecular abstraction of the benzylic hydrogen by the triplet excited state, were detected for 1a and 1b. Transient species produced following 355 nm (approximately 6 ns) pulse excitation of 1a–1c result in the formation of the corresponding nitronic acids 2a–2c, with absorption maxima around 415–430 nm. These nitronic acids are the precursors of the various products formed in the steady state irradiation of 1a–1c