Homolysis of conjugated carbanions and carbenium ions

Abstract

Methods are reported by which fulvalene and pentalene radical anions and cyclobutadiene, cyclopentadiene and buta-1,3-diene radical cations can be prepared in fluid solution and studied by e.s.r. spectroscopy. These preparations illustrate the general principles that radical anions and cations can be regarded as the conjugate bases and acids, respectively, of neutral radicals and that bonds to metals and to hydrogen often show common properties.