Evidence of Al^IIRadical Addition to Benzene

Abstract

Electrophilic AlIII species have long dominated the aluminum reactivity towards arenes. Recently, nucleophilic low‐valent AlI aluminyl anions have showcased oxidative additions towards arenes C−C and/or C−H bonds. Herein, we communicate compelling evidence of an AlII radical addition reaction to the benzene ring. The electron reduction of a ligand stabilized precursor with KC8 in benzene furnishes a double addition to the benzene ring instead of a C−H bond activation, producing the corresponding cyclohexa‐1,3(orl,4)‐dienes as Birch‐type reduction product. X‐ray crystallographic analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT results suggest this reactivity proceeds through a stable AlII radical intermediate, whose stability is a consequence of a rigid scaffold in combination with strong steric protection.