Free radical studies by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Part 1. The 1,4-dimethoxybenzene radical cation

Abstract

The short-lived 1,4-dimethoxybenzene radical cation has been generated in acidic aqueous solution by oxidation of the parent molecule with cerium(IV). By performing the reaction under fast flow conditions the free radical has been studied in a steady-state condition by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Molecular orbital and normal co-ordinate calculations have been employed in analysing the resulting spectra in terms of the changes in structure and bonding which accompany radical formation in this system.