Further studies on the chemistry and structure of n-oxides of sparteine and its derivatives—V: Synthesis and structure of 2-phenylsparteine-n16-oxide,a new case of “sponge” proton

The synthesis of 2-phenylsparteine-N₁₆-oxide (7) and its perchlorate salt (7-H⁺) was carried out. On the basis of spectral data, and by comparison with appropriate sparteine-N-oxides, the mechanism of formation and the structures of the two new compounds were proposed. It was found, the basicity of the new N-oxide is unexpectedly high and comparable to the basicity of quaternary ammonium hydroxides. The structure and the strength of intramolecular H-bond in 7-H⁺ makes 7 an excellent “catcher” proton or specific ”sponge” proton.