Stepwise Two-Electron-Transfer Reduction of Cyclic Ethers and Lactones with Alkalide K-, K+(15-Crown-5)2

The potassium anion possesses two valence electrons in its outer orbital. These two electrons might be transferred to an acceptor molecule simultaneously or stepwise. The stepwise mechanism had been stated till now experimentally only for the reaction of alkalide K-, K+(18-crown-6) with phenylacetylperoxide. A concept of this review was to ascertain if that mechanism has a more general character. Reactions of potassium anions of alkalide K-, K+(15-crown-5)2 with some cyclic ethers and lactones of different ring size were selected for that purpose.