Substitution of the aliphatic nitro group of optically active 2-(p-nitrophenyl)-2-nitrobutane (11) by sodium azide, sodium thiophenoxide, sodium benzenesulfinate, and the lithium salt of 2- nitropropane invariably occurs with complete loss of optical activity. Furthermore, levorotatory I1 is racemized by sodium nitrite. These facts support the view that substitution reactions in p-nitrocumyl systems proceed via the electron-transfer chain mechanism of eq ...