REACTION OF HYDROXIDE ION WITH ELECTRON-DONORS IN APROTIC-SOLVENTS

In aprotic solvents, the reaction of hydroxide ion with electron accep ters - iodine, tetracyanoquinodimethane, Nitro Blue Tetrazolium, methy lviologen, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride, duroquinone, anthraqui none, benzil, 9-fluorenone, perylene - gave reaction products identica l to those obtained by the reduction of these electron acceptors with electron donors. The paths of reaction of these electron accepters wit h hydroxide ion were found to be composed of successive one-electron r eactions. The efficiency of the reaction showed a good correlation wit h the reduction potential of the electron acceptors; the rate of the r eaction decreased with increasing the reduction potential of the elect ron acceptors.