Title:
A polarographic study of the reduction of unsymmetrical benzils.

Thumbnail Image
Author(s)
Sobieski, James F.
Authors
Advisor(s)
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Associated Organization(s)
Series
Supplementary to
Abstract
This investigation applied the techniques of polarography and controlled potential electrolytic reduction to the study of a series of unsymmetrical benzils. Eleven unsymmetrical benzils were synthesized and studied in 50% ethanol-water (by volume) solvent systems buffered at pH 1, 5, and 13. The results showed that, with unsymmetrical benzils substituted with electron-withdrawing or electrondonating groups, the carbonyl closest to the ring with the least electron-donating power was the preferred reaction site. However, the dicarbonyl system was nevertheless reduced as a unit, and Hammett sigma values of disubstituted symmetrical benzils were approximately additive. This was ascertained by comparing the ease of reduction of eight unsymmetrical benzils to the ease of reduction of the corresponding disubstituted symmetrical benzils. It was proposed that the electrons were added to the oxygen of one carbonyl, and that the second carbonyl was involved in the reduction chiefly through complete polarization of the dicarbonyl system at the electrode. In general, the reduction of unsymmetrical benzils appeared to follow the same path previously reported for symmetrical benzils.
Sponsor
Date Issued
1967-01-01
Extent
2615098 bytes
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Dissertation
Rights Statement
Rights URI