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Topic: Single electron oxidation notation - what would you do?  (Read 1628 times)

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Offline philmont702a

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Single electron oxidation notation - what would you do?
« on: December 12, 2013, 09:05:51 AM »
Hey all,
  I'm trying to proof a document for a friend and I have looked at this so long that I can't think straight anymore...  I'm wondering how one would notate a radical cation in an aromatic (thiophene) system.  I can draw the resonance structures fine, but often times, one sees the dotted line with a "+" charge.  I'm wondering if that is still accurate in this single electron oxidation system?  Attached is an image of my question. 

Many thanks for your input.

Offline zsinger

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Re: Single electron oxidation notation - what would you do?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2013, 05:14:15 PM »
I would caution against drawing dotted lines with radicals, as some radicals are far preferred as far as stability.  Therefore, this resonance picture is derived less from our inability to show what the "real" combined structure is, with only one picture.  When in doubt, always show all structures you can!
"The answer is of zero significance if one cannot distinctly arrive at said place with an explanation"

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