Several 2-and 4-alkylcyclohexadienones were prepared and shown to accept electrons to produce ketyl radical anions that dissociated rapidly at room temperature to release carbon- centered radicals and an aromatic phenoxide type anion. In the PET process with benzyl- substituted cyclohexadienones, initiated with triethylamine, the benzyl radicals dimerised or abstracted an H-atom from solvent. In electrochemical reductions, and in reductions with ...