Free-radical reductions of arenediazonium ions in aqueous solution. IV. Kinetics of reactions of para-substituted diazonium ions with benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and methanol

Abstract

Electron-withdrawing substituents are shown to increase the chain length of free-radical hydro-dediazoniation reactions, but the actual reaction step causing the substituent effect depends on the relative rates of propagation and termination reactions. With benzyl alcohol as reducing agent the rate of the slow propagation step is increased, while with isopropyl alcohol the rate of the termination step is decreased. Rate constants for some reactions of radicals with diazonium ions are reported, and the nature of some of these reactions and their implication for an understanding of the homolysis of aromatic diazo compounds are discussed.