The oxidation of a dimeric N-benzyldihydronicotinamide with various ox
idants such as quinones, triphenyl carbenium ions and a triplet exited
tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(rr) complex occurs via initial outer-spher
e electron transfer followed by fast C-C bond cleavage and second elec
tron transfer. The kinetic studies allow the determination of the oxid
ation potential of this compound.