Structure and Reactivity of Radical Ions: New Twists on Old Concepts

Electron transfer is the simplest reaction possible, yet it has a profound impact on the structure and reactivity of organic compounds. These changes allow a new look at some of the fundamental concepts that are used to explain organic chemistry, such as symmetry, aromaticity, and bonding. The results from high-level electronic structure calculations are used to analyze the mechanistic differences in the pericyclic reactions of simple hydrocarbons and their radical cation counterparts. The importance of state symmetry correlation, Jahn-Teller distortions, delocalization, and fractional bonding for the reaction pathways of hydrocarbon radical cations is discussed.