Open Access

Hans Bock, Peter Hänel, Hans-Friedrich Herrmann

• Reduction of naturally occurring para-and ortho-benzoquinone derivatives M to their respective radical anions M·⊖ can be accomplished under largely aprotic conditions either by cautious low-temperature reaction in THF containing an excess of (2.2.2) cryptand at a potassium mirror or by using the "mild" single electron transfer reagent tetrabutylammonium boranate R4N⊕BH4⊖ in DMF. On addition of soluble alkali tetraphenylborates Me⊕[B(C6H5)4]⊖ , their hitherto unknown radical ion pairs [M·⊖ Me⊕]· and/or triple ion radical cations [Me⊕M·⊖Me⊕]·⊕ form, which might be of biological relevance in molecular carrier and "turn off -turn on" switch processes. On addition of metal perchlorates Me⊕n(ClO4⊖)n with multiply charged counter cations Me⊕n the respective paramagnetic species [M·⊖Me⊕n]·(n-1)⊕ result. Assuming exclusive one-electron transfer reductions without any redox fragmentation reac­tions, ESR, ENDOR and GENERAL TRIPLE spectra are presented and discussed for the following radical anions and radical ion pairs: mitomycin C (M·⊖ and [M·⊖Mex⊕]·(x-1)⊕ with Me⊕ = Li⊕, Na⊕), streptonigrine (M·⊖ and [M·⊖Lix⊕]·(x-1)⊕), Entobex® (M·⊖ and [M·⊖Me⊕n]·(n-1)⊕ with Me⊕n = Li⊕, Na⊕, Cd⊕⊕, (H5C6)2Tl⊕) as well as brucinequinone ([M·⊖ Me⊕n]·(n-1)⊕ with Me⊕n = Li⊕, Cd⊕⊕, Pb⊕⊕, La⊕⊕⊕).