Cis-Trans Isomerization and Oxidation of Radical Cations of Stilbene Derivatives.

Isomerization from cis stilbene derivatives (c-S (S = RCH=CHC(6)H(5): 1, R = C(6)H(5); 2, R = 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 3, R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (= An); 4, R = 2,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 5, R = 3,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 6, R = 3,5-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 7, AnCH=C(CH(3))C(6)H(5); 8, AnCH=CHAn)) to trans isomers (t-S) and oxidation of S with O(2) were studied in gamma-ray radiolyses of c-S in Ar-saturated 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and of S in O(2)-saturated DCE, respectively. On the basis of product analyses, it is suggested that a smaller barrier to c-t unimolecular isomerization for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) than for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) due to the single bond character of the central C=C double bond for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) with a p-methoxyl group but not for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) without a p-methoxyl group because of the contribution of a quinoid-type structure induced by charge-spin separation. The isomerization proceeds via chain reaction mechanisms involving c-t unimolecular isomerization and endergonic hole transfer or dimerization and decomposition. The isomerization of c-3(*+) to t-3(*+) is catalyzed by addition of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene but terminated by triethylamine. The regioselective formation of 3d in oxidation of 3(*+) with O(2) is explained by spin localization on the beta-olefinic carbon in 3(*+). The results of product analyses are compared with the rate constants of the unimolecular isomerization and the oxidation for S(*+) measured with pulse radiolyses.