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The diphenyls MPh2 (M = Be, Mg, Zn, Cd, Hg) have been reacted with pyrazine (Pz) in tetrahydrofuran. Only the magnesium derivative undergoes electron transfer to yield the 1:1 radical complex [Pz(MgPh)]·. However, in the presence of sodium or potassium persistent 1:2 complexes [Pz(MPh)2]+. are formed with M = Be, Mg, Zn. Use of the higher homologues CdPh2 and HgPh2 leads to reduction to the metals. The 1:2 complexes have been characterized by ESR spectroscopy; metal coupling constants of 9Be, 25Mg and 67Zn could be determined in natural isotopic abundance.
Crystal and molecular structure analysis of the title compound 1, a most electron rich carbosilane, exhibits a shallow boat conformation for the cyclohexadiene ring which is shielded by four bulky Me3Si groups. Multiple hyperconjugative interaction occurs between the two non-conjugated olefinic π systems and the four rather long (192 pm) carbon-silicon o bonds which form an angle of about 34° with the assumed π axis. The HOMO destabilization caused by this unique structural arrangement explains the energetically facile formation and subsequent reactivity of the cation radical 1+ which was found to undergo oxidative desilylation to the aromatic 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl) benzene precursor in the single electron transfer reaction with TCNE.
The reduction potentials of 40 aromatic nitro compounds Rπ(NO2)n with Rπ = benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, fluorene and carbazole and n = 1 to 4 nitro groups are determined by cyclic voltammetry in DMF under aprotic conditions. The perturbation by the strongly electron accepting substituents can be rationalized via correlation with HMO eigenvalues. Based on reversibility criteria, the electrochemical behaviour is discussed and the compounds are classified with respect to reversible or irreversible one-electron transfer as well as up to 4 (quasi)-reversible reduction steps. The CV data measured can be used to predict redox reactions of aromatic nitro compounds in inert solvents.