Thermochemical parameters for organic radicals and radical ions. Part 1. The estimation of the pKa of radical cations based on thermochemical calculations

Three methods for estimating the pK a of a radical cation using thermochemical cycles are discussed. These methods enable the calculations of the pK a of radical cations which have not been determined experimentally. Radical cation acids are classified according to the nature of their respective conjugate bases. The application of these methods is illustrated for a σ-acid (the benzene radical cation) and π-acid (the toluene radical cation). The potential of these methods to estimate relative and absolute solvation energies is also discussed. The use of thermochemical cycles in estimating standard oxidation potentials of organic compounds is outlined.Calculations show that the toluene radical cation is an extremely strong acid and the benzene radical cation a moderately strong acid in acetonitrile solution. Difficulties in directly determining the pK a value of aromatic hydrocarbon radical cations are also discussed.