Computational and experimental evidence for the first direct spectroscopic detection of the pyrylogen neutral redox partner.

The first synthesis of the two-electron reduction product of a pyrylogen is reported. The magnitude of the experimentally determined disproportionation constant for a pyrylogen radical cation was used to advantage in order to provide compelling evidence for formation of this reduction product. Computational studies were used to provide verification of these results and to provide additional insight into the pyrylogen redox system.