Synthesis of Organic Super-Electron-Donors by Reaction of Nitrous Oxide with N-Heterocyclic Olefins.

The reaction of nitrous oxide (N2O) with N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) results in cleavage of the N-O bond and formation of azo-bridged NHO dimers. The latter represent very electron-rich compounds with a low ionization energy. Cyclic voltammetry studies show that the dimers can be classified as new organic super-electron-donors, with a reducing power similar to what is found for tetraazafulvalene derivatives. Mild oxidants are able to convert the neutral dimers into radical cations, which can be isolated. Further oxidation gives stable dications.

Synthesis of aminyl biradicals by base-induced Csp3-Csp3 coupling of cationic azo dyes.

The synthesis of the industrially important polymer parylene is achieved by polymerization of p-quinodimethane (p-QDM). The polymerization is thought to proceed via a biradical p-QDM dimer, but isolation or characterization of such a biradical has remained elusive. Here, we describe the synthesis of an aza-analogue of this p-QDM dimer. The biradical is formed by base-induced dimerization of an azoimidazolium dye. Due to the presence of sterically shielded aminyl radicals instead of terminal H2C groups, the stability of this dimer is sufficient for analyses by ESR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. A similar Csp3-Csp3 coupling was observed for an azotriazolium dye, suggesting that base-induced C-C coupling reactions can be realized for different types of azo dyes.

Trimethylsilyl-Induced N-O Bond Cleavage in Nitrous Oxide-Derived Aminodiazotates.

The chemical activation of nitrous oxide (N2O) typically results in O-atom transfer and the extrusion of N2 gas. In contrast, reactions of N-trimethylsilyl (TMS)-substituted amides with N2O give inorganic or organic azides, with concomitant formation of silanols or siloxanes. N-TMS-substituted amides are also able to induce N-O bond cleavage in N2O-derived dialkylaminodiazotates, generating tetrazene salts. These results indicate the potential of silyl groups in devising transformations, in which N2O acts as an N-atom donor.

Synthesis of Azo Dyes from Mesoionic Carbenes and Nitrous Oxide.

Covalent adducts of imidazole-based mesoionic carbenes and nitrous oxide (N2 O, "laughing gas") can be converted into azo dyes by reaction with arenes in the presence of AlCl3 or HCl. The azo coupling can be achieved with electron-rich aromatic compounds such as mesitylene, trimethoxybenzene, azulene, or dibenzo-18-crown-6. The latter coupling reaction allows for the easy preparation of a colorimetric sensor for potassium or sodium ions. As a putative intermediate of the reaction with acid, we were able to isolate and structurally characterize a rare diazohydroxide. Using imidazolium compounds with two N2 O groups, it was possible to prepare amine-substituted azo dyes or dyes with two azoarene groups attached to the heterocycle. A triazole-based mesoionic carbene was also found to form a stable covalent adduct with N2 O. The adduct could be used to prepare novel azo triazolium dyes in good yields.

Fixation of nitrous oxide by mesoionic and carbanionic N-heterocyclic carbenes.

A ditopic carbanionic N-heterocyclic carbene was found to react with the inert gas nitrous oxide, resulting in a stable covalent adduct with two intact N2O groups attached to the heterocycle. Mesoionic N-heterocyclic carbenes derived from C2-arylated 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene are also able to form adducts with one or two N2O groups. Crystallographic analyses of all adducts reveal bent N2O groups, which can adopt a cis or trans configuration.

Neutral Aminyl Radicals Derived from Azoimidazolium Dyes.

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of neutral aminyl radicals is reported. Monoradicals were obtained by reduction of azoimidazolium dyes with potassium. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational data suggest that the spin density is centered on one of the nitrogen atoms of the former azo group. The reduction of a dimeric dye with an octamethylbiphenylene bridge between the azo groups resulted in the formation of a biradical with largely independent unpaired electrons. Both the monoradicals and the biradical were found to display high stability in solution as well as in the solid state.

Activation of heteroallenes by coordinatively unsaturated nickel(ii) alkyl complexes supported by the hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methyl)pyrazolyl borate (Tp(Ph,Me)) ligand.

Activation of sulfur containing heteroallenes by nickel(ii) alkyl complexes supported by the bulky hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate (Tp(Ph,Me)) ligand is described. Exposure of Tp(Ph,Me)NiCH2Ph (1a) and Tp(Ph,Me)NiCH2Si(CH3)3 (1b) to CS2 resulted in formation of the insertion products Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2)-CS2)CH2Ph (2a) and Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2)-CS2)CH2Si(CH3)3 (2b) in moderate yields. Reaction of 1a and MeNCS produced two species in a 1 : 1 ratio, identified as Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2)-MeNC)CH2Ph (3) and Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2)-MeNCS)SCH2Ph (4). Isolation of the unexpected insertion product (3) prompted an investigation into the activity of 1a-b in the presence of isocyanides (i.e.(t)BuNC), which resulted in isolation of Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2-t)BuNC)CH2Ph (5a) and Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2-t)BuNC)CH2Si(CH3)3 (5b). Similarly, reaction of 1a with OCS led to the isolation of a rare example of a Ni(i) carbonyl species Tp(Ph,Me)NiCO (6). Alternatively, complex 6 was also formed by exposure of 1a-b to an atmosphere of CO. Isolation of the intermediate species (Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(η(2)-CO)CH2TMS (7b) and Tp(Ph,Me)Ni(CO)(C(O)R, (8a-b) with R = Ph, TMS)) shed light on the formation of such species.