Kinetic applications of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. XXI. Mono-, di-, and trialkylhydrazyls

The kinetics, mechanism, and products of decay of some mono-, 1,2-di-, and trialkylhydrazyls have been examined. 1-Alkylhydrazyls decay with second-order kinetics at the diffusion-controlled limit, 1,2-Diisopropylhydrazyl undergoes a very rapid second-order decay, which is a β-disportionation to hydrazine and azo compound. According to their structure, trialkylhydrazyls may decay by a fast second-order β-disproportionation (alkyl-H → N) or by a slow ,β-scission (loss of alkyl and formation of an azo compound). These results, together with previously reported data on 2,2-diaikylhydrazyis, are discussed in relation to the possibilities of isolating persistent alkyl hydrazyl radicals.