Investigation of the Coupling Reaction between Aromatic Radical Anions and Alkyl Radicals

Abstract

Radical-radical coupling reactions are generally fast when steric hindrance is moderate and charge repulsion is small. Even small radical anions of activated olefins prefer radical-radical coupling at rates often approaching the diffusion-limit. Only few studies have been made1–2 on the coupling of alkyl radicals (R) with delocalised radicals like the aromatic radical anions (A-) although this reaction (2) is relevant in several applications.