title: Bond Dissociation Free Energies (BDFEs) of the Acidic H-A Bonds in HA(*)(-) Radical Anions by Three Different Pathways.
abstract: Cleavage of radical anions, HA(*)(-), have been considered to give either H(*) + A(-) (path a) or H(-) + A(*) (path b), and factors determining the preferred mode of cleavage have been discussed. It is conceivable that cleavage to give a proton and a radical dianion, HA(*)(-) right harpoon over left harpoon H(+) + A(*)(2)(-) (path c), might also be feasible. A method, based on a thermodynamic cycle, to estimate the bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) by path c has been devised. Comparison of the BDFEs for cleavage of the radical anions derived from 24 nitroaromatic OH, SH, NH, and CH acids by paths a, b, c has shown that path c is favored thermodynamically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113.
authors.forename: Yongyu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Frederick G.
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Bordwell