Some studies in hydride transfer

Abstract

The term “hydride-transfer” is used to describe the acquisition in a single step of a hydrogen nucleus together with a pair of electrons by one electrophilic centre at the expense of another, either in the same or in another module. This process is distinguished from proton-transfer by the absence of isotopic exchange with the labile protons of the medium and by the nature of the polarity at the point of reaction. This thesis is divided into three parts. Part A commences with a brief survey of the hydride-transfer reaction in its widest sense, followed by a discussion of the reagents which may act as hydride donors or acceptors. In conclusion some reactions involving quinones and amines are dealt with. Part B is a discussion of the result of a series of experiments involving carbonium ions and high potential quinones as hydride acceptors and also of some related experiments. Part C, complementary to Part B, is devoted to the description of experimental details.