Properties of Radical Cations Generated by the Pulse Radiolysis of 1,ω-Bis(diarylethenyl)alkanes. Trapping of Distonic 1,4-Radical Cation by Molecular Dioxygen

Physical and chemical properties of radical cations generated from Ar2C=CH(CH2)nCH=CAr2 (Ar = 4-CH3OC6H4, n = 2–4) were studied by use of pulse radiolysis and γ-radiolysis techniques. When n = 3 and 4, 1,4-radical cations were formed via intramolecular cyclization of initially formed radical cations. The 1,4-radical cations were trapped by molecular dioxygen at the diarylalkylmethyl radical site, which suggests the “distonic” character of the species.