Evidence for the interaction between (t)BuOK and 1,10-phenanthroline to form the 1,10-phenanthroline radical anion: a key step for the activation of aryl bromides by electron transfer.

Electron paramagnetic resonance and electrochemistry are used to evidence the interaction between 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and KO(t)Bu to form the 1,10-phenanthroline radical anion, Phen˙(-), and the (t)BuO˙ radical via an inner-sphere electron transfer. In addition, electrochemistry is also used to explain the formation of aryl radicals from aryl bromides via outer-sphere electron transfer from the key intermediate Phen˙(-).