Back electron transfer cation reactive intermediates

Furthermore, kinetic analysis of the decay rate of anthracene cation radical, together with quantum yield measurements, establishes that the ion-radical pair in equation (76) is the critical reactive intermediate in osmylation reaction. Subsequent rapid ion-pair collapse then leads to the osmium adduct with a rate constant k 109 s 1 in competition with back electron-transfer, i.e.,... 

Electron transfer catalyzed cycloadditions via radical cations show remarkable selectivity that could be exploited for expanded synthetic methodology. As a complement to the neutral Diels-Alder reaction, ET catalysis hlls the void of the electron-rich diene/electron-rich dienophile cyclizations. In attempt to understand the intricate details of the reaction, experimentalists and theorists have uncovered a range of novel factors to control and manipulate these high-energy reactive intermediates. As exemplihed by the cases discussed in this contribution, the charged character of the intermediates and the presence of back electron transfer leading to the biradical reaction manifold opens new pathways to control the chemo-, peri-, and stereochemical patterns in these dynamic species. 

Upon oxidation, the subsequent radical cation can decompose in a number of different ways to generate reactive intermediates (Scheme 10.1). The first possibility involves direct H-atom abstraction of the a-C-H bond of the oxidized amine (I) to generate an iminium ion (II), which is susceptible to nucleophilic attack via polar reaction mechanisms (pathway a). Deprotonation of I may also form a carbon-centered radical species (III) that can react with typical radical traps, such as olefins or arenes (pathway b). Generation of the iminium ion may also occur indirectly through oxidation of III via SET to the photocatalyst or another oxidant (pathway c). Finally, radical cation I can undergo non-productive pathways such as back-electron transfer with the reduced photocatalyst (PC" ) to re-generate the neutral amine and PC" (pathway d). 

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