An Aryl radical in organic chemistry is a reactive intermediate and an arene compound incorporating one free radical carbon atom as part of the ring structure. As such it is the radical counterpart of the Arenium ion. The parent compound is the phenyl radical C6H5.. Aryl radicals are intermediates in certain organic reactions.
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Synthesis
Aryl radicals can be obtained via aryl diazonium salts. Alternatives for these salts are certain aryl triazenes and aryl hydrazines. Aryl bromides and iodides can be converted to aryl radicals via tributyltin hydride and related compounds and silyl hydrides. Aryl halides can also be converted via electrochemical cathodic reduction
The mushroom Stephanospora caroticolor is suspected to generate an aryl radical as part of its biological chemical defence mechanism.
Spectroscopy
The parent phenyl radical has been identified via electron paramagnetic resonance and UV spectroscopy.
Reactions
Aryl radicals are very reactive and are found in many different reactions. Hydrogen-atom abstraction is considered a side reaction. Several reactions of synthetic utility in which aryl radicals feature are: