Substituted pyrazine-di-N-oxides as the mediators of catalytic oxidation of organic compounds

The mechanism of oxidation of 2,5-dimethyl-, 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-, 2,3-dimethyl-5,6-cyclohexa, and 3-phenyl-5,6-cyclohexapyrazine-di-N-oxides is studied by cyclic voltammetry, quantum chemical simulations, and ESR electrolysis. The studies are carried out on electrodes of glassy carbon and Pt in 0.1 M LiClO₄ solutions in acetonitrile. ESR spectra of radical cations of substituted pyrazine-di-N-oxides are recorded. The effects of the temperature, oxygen, and the additions of water, pyridine, and acid on the shape of cyclic voltamograms and the intensity of ESR signals of pyrazine-di-N-oxides are studied. A quantum-chemical simulation of the reaction of pyrazine-di-N-oxide radical cations with acetonitrile is carried out. The oxidation of substituted pyrazine-di-N-oxides is described by the E₁C₁E₂C₂ mechanism, which includes the stage of the formation of a complex between the di-N-oxide radical cation and acetonitrile.