The reaction of m-nitrobenzyl 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate
(11) with the salt (2) of 2-nitropropane, or the thiolate
(16), gives moderate yields of substitution products [e.g.(3) or (17)].
However, the mechanism of formation of these products could not be definitively
assigned. The m-nitrobenzyl
chloride (12), on the other hand, was clearly demonstrated to undergo SRN1
substitution reactions with a variety of anions including the anion from the
salt (2), thiolate ion from (16), azide
from (22), the malononitrile anion from (20), and the
malonic ester anion from (21). Inhibition and entrainment effects clearly rule
out an alternative radical anion-radical process involving cage collapse. The
occurrence of SRNl reactions in m-nitrobenzylic
substrates adds support to a mechanism involving association of radicals with
anions, and for dissociation of radical anions, which involves σ* and π* radical anions.