Electron affinities of substituted nitrobenzenes

The electron affinities of 14 substituted nitrobenzenes including nitrobiphenyls were determined by measurement of electron transfer equilibria [1] in the gas phase with a pulsed high pressure mass spectrometer: A− + B = A + B− [1]. These data, when combined with previous determinations from this laboratory, lead to electron affinities for 35 substituted nitrobenzenes and provide a comprehensive data set for the examination of substituent effects. The data are used to derive Taft gas-phase substituent parameters. A qualitative discussion based on frontier orbital molecular theory examines the substituent effect on the benzene and nitrobenzene LUMOs. The lifetimes for electron autodetachment from excited nitrobenzene negative ions, (A−)*, studied earlier by Christophorou, are examined in light of the present electron affinity data.