Oxygen carriers based on electrochemically reduced trinitroarenes

Abstract

1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and 1-methoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene undergoes reversible dimerization, after electrochemical reduction of two units of corresponding anion radical. The π-dimer formed captures molecular oxygen (O₂) leading to a σ^H_o-o-adduct, in an atmosphere of oxygen or even air. The σ^H_o-o-adduct is able to reversibly bind and remove dioxygen after an external redox stimulus.