Unexpected decomposition of a monoquarternated 4,4'-bipyridinium dication by disodium dithionite reduction in water

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)01105-3

Instead of the expected neutral radical the reduction of a quinoxaline bridged 4,4-bipyridinium salt by disodium dithionite (DSD) in water renders 2,3-dimethylquinoxaline and 4,4'-bipyridine. In contrast, with more electron- rich arenes used as spacer groups no decomposition products were observed. The mechanism of the chemically induced decomposition and the electrochemical properties of the starting compounds are reported.