Direct Detection of a Chemical Equilibrium between a Localized Singlet Diradical and Its σ-Bonded Species by Time-Resolved UV/Vis and IR Spectroscopy

Localized singlet diradicals are key intermediates in bond homolyses. The singlet diradicals are energetically much less stable than the sigma-bonded species. In general, only one-way reactions from diradicals to sigma-bonded species are observed. In this study, a thermal equilibrium between a singlet 1,2-diazacyclopentane-3,5-diyl diradical and the corresponding sigma-bonded species was directly observed. The singlet diradical was more stable than the sigma-bonded species. The solvent effect clarified key features, such as the zwitterionic character of the singlet diradical. The effect of the nitrogen atoms is discussed in detail.