Synthesis and Single-Electron Oxidation of Bulky Bis(m-terphenyl)chalcogenides: The Quest for Kinetically Stabilized Radical Cations

Abstract

Sterically encumbered bis(m-terphenyl)chalcogenides, (2,6-Mes2C6H3)2E (E=S, Se, Te) were obtained by the reaction of the chalcogen tetrafluorides, EF4, with three equivalents of m-terphenyl lithium, 2,6-Mes2C6H3Li. The single-electron oxidation of (2,6-Mes2C6H3)2Te using XeF2/K[B(C6F5)4] afforded the radical cation [(2,6-Mes2C6H3)2Te][B(C6F5)4] that was isolated and fully characterized. The electrochemical oxidation of the lighter homologs (2,6-Mes2C6H3)2E (E=S, Se) was irreversible and impaired by rapid decomposition.