Changed reactivity of the 1-bromo-4-nitrobenzene radical anion in a room temperature ionic liquid

Radical anions of 1-bromo-4-nitrobenzene (p-BrC₆H ₄NO₂) are shown to be reactive in the room temperature ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, ([C₄mPyrr][NTf₂]), by means of voltammetric measurements. In particular, they are shown to react via a DISP type mechanism such that the electrolysis of p-BrC₆H₄NO₂ occurs consuming between one and two electrons per reactant molecule, leading to the formation of the nitrobenzene radical anion and bromide ions. This behaviour is a stark contrast to that in conventional non-aqueous solvents such as acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide, which suggests that the ionic solvent promotes the reactivity of the radical anion, probably via stabilisation of the charged products.