Delocalized Radical Anions

Benzophenone Ketyl:

The spin density map is on the left; blue represents the regions og highest unpaired spin density (AM1, UHF). Note the high density on the carbonyl carbon, as predicted by the resonance form on the right.

Semiquinone:

Surprisingly, the spin density does not reside on the carbonyls at all. Can you rationalize this? (Hint: what does the LUMO of the neutral quinone look like?

Back to CH630 Home Page

Last updated:
Comments to K. Gable