Electroanalytical study of isomeric trifluoromethyl-nitrosobenzene intermediates

The relative lifetimes of the o-, m- and p-trifluoromethylnitrosobenzene anion radicals produced in the electroreduction of the corresponding nitro compounds in N,N-dimethylformamide are compared. Potential step experiments coupled with cyclic voltammetry facilitate the comparison. The fate of the nitroso species is discussed in relation to the results of experiments in which o-, m- and p-trifluoromethylnitrobenzene were mass electrolyzed and the products spectrophotometrically identified.