Disproportionation of a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical as a model of reactive oxygen species catalysed by Lewis and/or Brønsted acids

Electron-transfer disproportionation of a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH˙) occurred in the presence of Sc(3+) acting as a strong Lewis acid in deaerated acetonitrile. In contrast, in the case of weaker Lewis acids than Sc(3+), such as Mg(2+) and Li(+), external protons from acetic acid were required for the disproportionation of DPPH˙ to occur.