Heavy-atom effects on hydrogen-atom transfer reaction from monohalogenated phenols to triplet 7,8-benzoquinoline

The rate constants and the radical yields for the hydrogen-atom transfer reaction from four monohalogenated phenols to triplet 7,8-benzoquinoline were determined by an emission—absorption flash technique. The rate constants are of the order of 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ except for 2-bromophenol, and the radical yield Φ_rt decreases on halogen substitution. In the case of monobromophenols, Φ_rt is sensitive to the position of the bromine atom. The rate constant of free radical recombination increases with decreasing Φ_rt. Such heavy-atom effects are explained in terms of the heavy-atom-induced spin relaxation of the triplet radical pair.