Remarkable effects of counter ions on scandium ion-promoted electron transfer reactions

Chem Commun (Camb). 2003 May 7:(9):1070-1. doi: 10.1039/b300543g.

Abstract

Scandium ion-promoted electron transfer reactions of p-benzoquinone are remarkably accelerated when tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate anion is used instead of trifluoromethanesulfonate anion as the counter anion of scandium ion. Only a catalytic amount of scandium borate salt (Sc[B(C6F5)4]3) accelerates significantly the Diels-Alder reaction of 9,10-dimethylanthracene with p-benzoquinone, which proceeds via Sc(3+)-promoted electron transfer from the anthracene to p-benzoquinone.