A dimerisation reaction of benzene carbaldehydes catalysed by ion pairing studied by ESR spectroscopy

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)01217-6

The reduction of benzene carbaldehydes with alkali metals in solvents which promote formation of ion pairs (THF and MTHF) leads to a coupling reaction which yields semidione radical anions. The results reported here show the effects of ion pairing on the chemical reactivity of the intermediate radicals.