Molecular complexes of TCNE with phenols

Molecular complexes of TCNE with phenols and naphthols have been studied us ing electronic absorption spectroscopy. All the complexes exhibited two CT bands each. The appearance of two CT bands is attributed to the formation o f two isomeric CT complexes, R-x and R-y differing in the orientation of do nor and acceptor molecules. The ionization potentials of highest and penult imate molecular orbitals have been calculated from the position of the CT b ands. The stabilities of the complexes with R-y configuration are found to be greater than those with R-x configuration. The stabilities of the comple xes increased with Increasing electron releasing ability of the substituent s. In general the stabilities of the phenols-TCNE complexes are found to be greater than those of the TCNE complexes with correspondingly substituted benzenes. This is attributed to the greater polarity of phenols as compared to similarly substituted benzenes.