The tert-butoxide-induced substitution of alpha,p-dinitrocumene by 4-aminophenol unexpectedly afforded the N-coupled product, 2-(4-hydroxyanilino)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)propane. EPR observations revealed arylaminyl radical intermediates as well as coupled anion radicals, hence the normal S(RN)1 process may compete with an alternative nonchain reaction pathway.