Synthesis of a new stable and water-soluble tris(4-hydroxysulfonyltetrachlorophenyl)methyl radical with selective oxidative capacity

A new stable organic free radical of the PTM (perchlorotriphenylmethyl) series very soluble in water is reported. This free radical is sensitive to electron transfer processes, and the selectivity of these reactions in the presence of ascorbic acid, pyrogallol, and catechol as reducing species is described. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum and the electrochemical behavior are also presented.Financial support for this research from the MCI (Spain) through project AGL2009-12374-C03-03/ALI is gratefully acknowledged. J.A.M. gratefully acknowledges the Spanish Foreign Office Department for a predoctoral grant. We also thank the EPR service of the Advanced Research Institute of Catalunya (CSIC) (Spain) for recording the EPR spectra and the scientific-technical services of the University of Barcelona for recording the mass spectra.Peer reviewe