Single electron transfer

Formation of radical ions by single electron transfer (SET)

Formation of a radical anion by electron attachment to a neutral molecule A .

Formation of a radical cation by elimination (removal) of an electron from a neutral molecule A .

The single-electron transfer - English single electron transfer , SET - plays a role in the oxidation of alkyl -substituted aromatics such. B. Toluene (Ar – CH ₃ ) through the following steps:

Oxidation of an alkyl aromatic such. B. toluene (Ar = phenyl radical ) in one-electron transfer steps.

Here, a first formed radical cation by a single-electron transfer to the metal M . By splitting off a proton, a benzyl radical is formed , which is quickly oxidized to the benzyl cation by another one-electron transfer. The latter reacts with water or acetic acid to form benzyl alcohol or benzyl acetate.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Organikum , Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 23rd edition, Weinheim 2009, ISBN 978-3-527-32292-3 , p. 425.