2-(3,5-Dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiane carbanion: a benzylic anion with a low energy triplet state.

Calculations at the DFT level predict that benzyl anions with strong π-electron-withdrawing groups in the meta position(s) have low energy diradical or triplet electronic states. Specifically, the 2-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dithiane carbanion is predicted to have nearly degenerate singlet and triplet states at the (U)B3LYP level as a free anion. Its lithium ion pair is predicted to be a ground-state triplet with a substantial (26 kcal/mol) singlet-triplet energy gap. Experiments on this anion using chemical trapping, NMR, and the Evans method strongly suggest that this anion is either a triplet or a ground-state singlet with a very low energy triplet state.

Photochemical heterolysis of 3,5-bis(dimethylamino)benzyl alcohols and esters: generation of a benzyl cation with a low-energy triplet state.

An earlier computational study (CASPT2/pVDZ) by Winter et al. predicts the 3,5-bis(dimethylamino)benzyl cation to have nearly degenerate singlet and triplet states. Through product studies it is demonstrated that photolysis of 3,5-bis(dimethylamino)benzyl alcohol and its corresponding acetate and phenylacetate esters in alcoholic solvents produces a solvent incorporated adduct, 3,5-bis(dimethylamino)benzyl ethers, and 3,5-bis(dimethylamino)toluene.