One-electron oxidation of enol phosphates, enol phosphites and enol phosphinates. Evidence for an unprecedented P–O bond cleavage in phosphoenol radical cations in solution1

Abstract

For the first time phosphoenol radical cations are generated in solution and monitored by cyclic voltammetry and EPR; the sterically congested radical cations undergo an unprecedented P–O bond cleavage, the kinetics of which are determined.