Transformation anion to radical

An anionic active centre can be transformed to a radical centre by peroxy-alkyl halides [244] or by molecular oxygen [245], It appears, however, that the most elegant way so far was found by the British workers [246,247], They make use of the decomposition of unstable alkylsilver compounds generated from alkyllead salts and silver halides. The transformation thus proceeds in two steps. In the first step, a suitable Pb-containing end group is formed on the macroanion 

In order to prevent rapid generation of radicals in large concentrations (a situation which leads to their considerable decay by combination and disproportionation), the authors recommend the addition of solid AgC104 to the solution of the MPbEt3 polymer. Radicals are generated slowly from the slowly dissolving salt. Mercury, iron and perhaps even other metals can be used instead of silver. 

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