DINITROSTILBENES IN ELECTRON-TRANSFER REACTIONS

1. Electron transfer to 4,4′-dinitrostilbenes and α,β-dinitrostilbenes causes isomerization. Isomerization accompanies one- and two-electron transfer. 2. There is a marked difference between the reactions of the dinitrostilbene dianions with protons that depend on the position of the nitro groups: protons induce two-electron oxidation of the nitroaromatic dianion whereas the dinitroethylene dianion adds two protons. 3. The stepwise addition of electrons and protons is a specific method for the selective hydrogenation of an ethylenic bond conjugated with two nitro groups. © 1979 Plenum Publishing Corporation.