EPR Spectroscopy of Radical Ions of a 2,3-Diamino-1,4-naphthoquinone Derivative

J Org Chem. 2018 May 18;83(10):5474-5479. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b00398. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

Abstract

We report the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the radical cation and radical anion of 1,2,2,3-tetramethyl-2,3-dihydro-1 H-naphtho[2,3- d]imidazole-4,9-dione (1) and its doubly 13C labeled analogue 2, of interest for singlet fission. The hyperfine coupling constants are in excellent agreement with density functional theory calculations and establish the structures beyond doubt. Unlike the radical cation 1•+, the radical anion 1•- and its parent 1 have pyramidalized nitrogen atoms and inequivalent methyl groups 15 and 16, in agreement with the calculations. The distinction is particularly clear with the labeled analogue 2•-.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.