Isomerization of Triphenylmethoxyl: The Wieland Free‐Radical Rearrangement Revisited a Century Later

Abstract

Old wisdom teaches a new lesson: The rate constant for the isomerization of thermally generated triphenylmethoxyl to Ph2(PhO)C. has been determined both experimentally and by DFT calculations (see scheme), and the results vindicated Wieland′s 1911 observations and conclusions—in contrast to photochemically based findings. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.