title: Singlet diradicals: from transition states to crystalline compounds.
abstract: Singlet diradicals are usually not energy minima. As observed by femtosecond spectroscopy, they readily couple to form final sigma bonds. Substituent effects allow lifetimes to increase into the microsecond range. Taking advantage of the properties of hetero-elements, a diradical has been prepared that is indefinitely stable at room temperature. The availability of diradicals that can be handled under standard laboratory conditions will lead to further insight into their chemical and physical properties, raising the likelihood of practical applications, especially in the field of molecular materials such as electrical conductors and ferromagnets.
authors.affiliation: UCR-CNRS Joint Research Chemistry Laboratory (UMR 2282), Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0403, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scheschkewitz
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amii
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gornitzka
authors.forename: Wolfgang W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Schoeller
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bourissou
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertrand