The electron spin resonance spectra of some aromatic cyanide and isocyanide anions

Abstract

The electron spin resonance spectra of the anions of p- and m-phenylene di-isocyanide, 4,4′-biphenyl di-isocyanide, 1,5-naphthylene di-isocyanide, and 1,4-, 1,5-, and 1,8-naphthylene dicyanide are described. 4-Isocyanobenzonitrile on reduction has the spectrum of the 4,4′-biphenyl dicyanide radical anion. The results are consistent with those expected for a linear arrangement of the C–N–R bond, and the ring proton hyperfine coupling constants for the cyanide and isocyanide substituted anions have a close correlation with the predictions of simple Hückel theory.