Electronic Chemistry in Action

Electronic Chemistry in Action

Author: David Bradley

Anions should not interact with π electron clouds in aromatic molecules, but they do, usually when the molecule has a strong-electron withdrawing group.

Stefan Matile’s team, University of Geneva, Switzerland, have observed the interaction with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. They analyzed a series of compounds of varying π -acidity to show that even under laser radiation an anion can remain coupled to a π electron cloud.

Anionic reaction intermediates are key to many organic syntheses, so finding ways to stabilize them on a π-acidic surface could lead to novel catalysts.


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