Activation of aliphatic C-H bonds by tetracyanobenzene photosensitization. A time-resolved and steady-state investigation

The photochemistry of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCB) in acetonitrile in the presence of representative aliphatic donors (cyclohexane, 1,4-dioxane and triethylamine) has been investigated by femtosecond (fs) and nanoseconds (ns) flash photolysis as well as steady state irradiation in order to define the kinetic frame for the activation of aliphatic C-H bonds. Unlike in the case of aromatics, no ground state complex (except possibly in the case of triethylamine) or exciplex is formed. The lowest excited singlet is quenched and forms the free radical ions. The efficiency of the process, measured by the yield of TCB˙− (0.84 with cyclohexane, 0.15 with 1,4-dioxane, 0.37 with triethylamine) depends on the rate of return electron transfer, low for a high exothermicity. The chemical reaction following the electron transfer step depends on the properties of the radical cation. Thus, with cyclohexane deprotonation is slow and does not occur measurably on a microsecond scale, while on a longer time scale, the formation of alkyl radicals competes with back electron transfer between the free ions. The deprotonation of amine radical cations is faster and the resulting α-aminoalkyl radicals reduce a further molecule of TCB, causing the accumulation of the radical anion which is indefinitely stable in the absence of oxygen.