Charge-Transfer Photochemistry in the Cleavage of Alkylmetals by Hexachloroiridate(IV). ESR Studies of Paramagnetic Intermediates

The photochemical cleavage of various tin alkyls by hexachloroiridate(IV) is examined by broad-band irradiation at low temperatures where the thermal reaction is too slow to compete. The formation of transient paramagnetic intermediates is examined by ESR spectroscopy in rigid media. Evidence is presented for the formation of chlorine atom complexes and alkyl radicals. A photochemical charge-transfer process is compared to an earlier study of the thermal reaction.