An Introduction to the Consequences of Spin and Bond Strength in the Chemistry of Diatomic Oxygen, Peroxides, and Related Species

Abstract

This review chapter discusses oxygen and peroxides in organic chemistry. Numerous types of oxygen species are described including ions, radicals, biradicals, and zwitterionic species; examples of such species are superoxide anion (O2 ⋅−), dioxygenyl cation (O2 ⋅+), ozone (O3), oxygen oligomers (Ox), and the lowest excited singlet state of oxygen (1Δ). An analysis of acyclic peroxides and cyclic peroxides (e.g., 1,2-dioxetanes,1,2,3-trioxolanes, and 1,4-endoperoxides) is provided. Isoelectronic heteroatom structures and other analogs are also provided to help guide thinking for the factors that underlie the stability of peroxide and other oxygen-containing species. Keywords: hydro- and polyperoxides; methylene and sulfur species; oxygen species; peroxides; radicals