DIRECT OBSERVATION OF A STANNYL RADICAL IN THE REACTIONS OF THE TRIBUTYLSTANNYL ANION WITH ALKYL-HALIDES BY A STOPPED-FLOW TECHNIQUE

The reaction intermediate in, reactions of the tributylstannyl anion. with alkyl halides in THF was studied by a stopped-flow technique. The tributylstannyl radical was observed directly in the reactions of sec - and tert-butyl bromides and iodides. Generation of the stannyl radic al suggests that electron transfer from the stannyl anion to alkyl hal ides is taking place.