An Anion Radical Precursor in the Nucleophilic Substitution of p -Dinitrobenzene

Abstract

Appearance of p-dinitrobenzene anion radical has been demonstrated by visible and ESR spectroscopy in the replacement of the one nitro group of p-dinitrobenzene by hydroxide ion in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide. The formation of the anion radical seems to be due to the direct electron transfer from hydroxide ion to p-dinitrobenzene. The results of kinetic studies suggest that the anion radical is a precursor in the substitution reaction.