Detection of the triple ion (durosemiquinone-Na₂)⁺ by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Reduction of duroquinone by sodium in tetrahydrofuran and in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran in the presence of sodium tetraphenylboride yields the triple ion (durosemiquinone-Na 2 ) + which shows hyperfine interaction with twelve equivalent hydrogen and two equivalent sodium nuclei. When the reduction is performed in 1,2-dimethoxyethane, the triple ion is not formed, and the electron spin resonance spectra indicate the presence of an intermolecular cation exchange process.