Photochemical vs. electrochemical electron-transfer reactions. one-electron reduction of aryl halides by photoexcited anion radicals

Electrochemical reduction of aryl halides generally leads to expulsion of halide ion. The product aryl radical is unavoidably further reduced. In contrast, reduction of aryl halides by photoexcited anion radicals may be stopped at the aryl radical stage owing to the bimolecular nature of electron-transfer reactions. We have tested this hypothesis by photoinducing electron-transfer from anthraquinone anion radical to several aryl halides. For each halide it was possible to trap the corresponding radical by anthracene forming stituted 9-phenylanthracenes.