Distinguishing between abstraction and addition as the first step in the reaction of a nitroxyl radical with cyclohexene

An unambiguous method for distinguishing between abstraction-addition and addition-abstraction mechanisms (and mixtures thereof) in the reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl with a specifically deuterated cyclohexene, 1,2-dideuteriocyclohexene, is demonstrated.