Electron transfer between protonated and unprotonated phenoxyl radicals

The reaction of phenoxyl radicals with acids is investigated. 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenoxyl radical (13), a persistent radical, deteriorates in MeOH/PhH in the presence of an acid yielding 4-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone 18a and the parent phenol (14). The reaction is facilitated by a strong acid. Treatment of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxyl radical (2), a short-lived radical, generated by dissociation of its dimer, with an acid in MeOH provides 4-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-dienone 4 and the products from disproportionation of 2 including the parent phenol (3). A strong acid in a high concentration favors the formation of 4 while the yield of 3 is always kept high. Oxidation of the parent phenol (33) with PbO(2) to generate transient 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxyl radical (35) in AcOH/H(2)O containing an added acid provides eventually p-benzoquinone 39 and 4,4'-diphenoquinone 42, the product from dimerization of 35. A strong acid in a high concentration favors the formation of 39. These results suggest that a phenoxyl radical is protonated by an acid and electron transfer takes place from another phenoxyl radical to the protonated phenoxyl radical, thus generating the phenoxyl cation, which can add an oxygen nucleophile, and the phenol (eq 5). The electron transfer is a fast reaction.