Oxidation of the perchlorotriphenylmethyl radical to the carbocation,and its unique abrupt reversion

A solution of AlCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) reacts slowly, at room temperature, with perchlorotriphenylmethyl radical (PTM(*)), an inert carbon free radical, to give perchlorotriphenylmethyl cation (PTM(+)) quantitatively. However, by gradual addition of CH(2)Cl(2) into the resulting solution a point is reached where the PTM(+) reverts to PTM(*) instantaneously and quantitatively. A mechanism for this exceptional phenomenon is suggested. Some PTM(+) reactions, namely hydrolysis yielding quinonoid species and single-electron transfers with hydride ion donors, are reported and discussed.