Quino[7,8-h]quinoline,a New Type of “Proton Sponge”

So far, “proton sponges” have been defined as bis(dialkylamino)arenes whose dialkylamino groups are in close spatial proximity.^[1] The unusual basicity of these compounds is ascribed to the destabilizing overlap of the lone electron pairs on the nitrogen atoms, to the formation of especially strong hydrogen bonds in the monoprotonated diamines, and to the hydrophobic shielding of these hydrogen bonds. In order to differentiate and assess the relative importance of these factors, we were interested in quino[7,8-h]quinoline 1 , whose nitrogen atoms exhibit a mutual orientation similar to that in 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene 2 (“proton sponge”). In contrast to 2 , however, 1 lacks the hydrophobic shielding of the hydrogen bonds of its monoprotonated derivative. This shielding is considered to be responsible for the low rates of proton transfer, which make the “proton sponges” reported so far unsuitable as auxiliary bases in chemical reactions.     

The N1s ESCA Spectrum of Protonated 1,8-Bis-(Dimethylamino) Naphthalene (“proton sponge”)

The ESCA spectrum of protonated 1,8-bis-(dimethylamino) naphthalene (“proton sponge”) (I) has been recorded in the region of N1s binding energies. The results indicate that IH⁺ possesses an unsymmetrical N? H…?N hydrogen bridge.     

Molecular Engineering of Free‐Base Porphyrins as Ligands—The N−H⋅⋅⋅X Binding Motif in Tetrapyrroles

The core N?H units of planar porphyrins are often inaccessible to forming hydrogen‐bonding complexes with acceptor molecules. This is due to the fact that the amine moieties are “shielded” by the macrocyclic system, impeding the formation of intermolecular H‐bonds. However, methods exist to modulate the tetrapyrrole conformations and to reshape the vector of N?H orientation outwards, thus increasing their availability and reactivity. Strategies include the use of porpho(di)methenes and phlorins (calixphyrins), as well as saddle‐distorted porphyrins. The former form cavities due to interruption of the aromatic system. The latter are highly basic systems and capable of binding anions and neutral molecules via N?H???X‐type H‐bonds. This Review discusses the role of porphyrin(oid) ligands in various coordination‐type complexes, means to access the core for hydrogen bonding, the concept of conformational control, and emerging applications, such as organocatalysis and sensors.     

A Phosphorus Bisylide: Exploring a New Class of Superbases with Two Interacting Carbon Atoms as Basicity Centers

Herein we present the first superbase MHPN with two interacting P‐ylide entities. Unlike classical proton sponges, this novel compound class has carbon atoms as basicity centers which are forced into close proximity by a naphthalene scaffold. The bisylide exhibits an experimental pK _BH⁺ value of 33.3±0.2 on the MeCN scale and a calculated gas‐phase proton affinity of 277.9 kcal mol⁻¹ (M062X/6‐311+G**//M062X/6‐31G*+ZPVE method) exceeding that of the corresponding monoylide by nearly 15 kcal mol⁻¹. The origin of the unexpectedly high basicity of the new bisylide was investigated by NMR spectroscopic methods, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as well as theoretical calculations and can be partly attributed to the rapid exchange of the “acidic” proton between the two basic carbon atoms after protonation.     

The Controlled Formation and Cleavage of an Intramolecular d8–d8 Pt–Pt Interaction in a Dinuclear Cycloplatinated Molecular “Pivot‐Hinge”

The bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm)‐bridged dinuclear cycloplatinated complex {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dppm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dppm; HL: 2‐phenyl‐6‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐pyridine) demonstrates interesting reversible “pivot‐hinge”‐like intramolecular motions in response to the protonation/deprotonation of L. In its protonated “closed” configuration, the two platinum(II) centers are held in position by intramolecular d⁸–d⁸ Pt–Pt interaction. In its deprotonated “open” configuration, such Pt–Pt interaction is cleaved. To further understand the mechanism behind this hingelike motion, an analogous dinuclear cycloplatinated complex, {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dchpm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dchpm) with bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dchpm) as the bridging ligand, was synthesized. From its protonation/deprotonation responses, it was revealed that aromatic π–π interactions between the phenyl moieties of the μ‐dppm and the deprotonated pyrazolyl rings of L was essential to the reversible cleavage of the intramolecular Pt–Pt interaction in Pt₂ ? dppm. In the case of Pt₂ ? dchpm, spectroscopic and spectrofluorometric titrations as well as X‐ray crystallography indicated that the distance between the two platinum(II) centers shrank upon deprotonation, thus causing a redshift in its room‐temperature triplet metal–metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer emission from 614 to 625 nm. Ab initio calculations revealed the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the deprotonated and negatively charged 1‐pyrazolyl‐N moiety and the methylene CH and phenyl C–H of the μ‐dppm. The “open” configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dppm was estimated to be 19 kcal mol^?1 more stable than its alternative “closed” configuration. On the other hand, the open configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dchpm was 6 kcal mol^?1 less stable than its alternative closed configuration.     

Structuresof 2,2′-bis(dimethylamino)biphenyl and its monohydrobromide)

In the context of ‘proton sponge’ systems, for the conformationally flexible biphenyl 1 the X-ray structure analysis as well as the basicity have been determined. 1 forms monoprotonated salts of which the structure of the hydrobromide 1a·BrX was solved. It contains a ‘proton sponge’-like N⋯H⋯N hydrogen bridge to which the 1000-fold increase of the basicity constant as compared to N,N-dimethylaniline is attributed.     

The proton affinity of the superbase 1,8-bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN) and some related compounds: a theoretical study

The spatial and electronic structure of the very strong neutral organic bases bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN), 4,5-bis(tetramethylguanidino)fluorene (TMGF) and some related compounds are explored by ab initio computational methods. Their affinity towards the proton is scrutinized both in the gas phase and in solution in acetonitrile. The protonation at the most basic center (the imine nitrogen) yields asymmetric and relatively strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IHB). It is found that the angular strain effect and steric repulsion practically vanish in TMGN which implies that its high absolute proton affinity (APA) has its origin in the inherent basicity of the guanidine fragment and a relatively strong IHB in [TMGN]H(+). The nonbonded repulsions in TMGF are higher than in TMGN, which in conjunction with a slightly stronger IHB in the corresponding conjugate acid makes it more basic: APA(TMGF)>APA(TMGN). An interesting new phenomenon is observed in both TMGN and TMGF: the proton triggers the resonance stabilization not only in the directly bonded guanidine moiety, but also in the other guanidine fragment which is more distant from the proton, albeit in a less pronounced manner. The latter feature is termed a partial protonation. This supports the hydrogen bonding and contributes to the IHB stabilization. Convincing evidence is presented that the solvent effect in acetonitrile is determined by two antagonistic factors: 1) the intrinsic (gas phase) proton affinity and 2) the size effect which is given by the ratio between the positive charge in molecular cation (conjugate acid) and the magnitude of the molecular surface. The resulting pK(a) values are given by an interplay of these factors.     

Intra-annular cyclophane diamines as proton sponges: a computational study

Gas-phase proton affinities of cyclophanes containing intra-annular amino groups were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31+G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-31G^∗ level. They are higher in magnitude as those for proton sponges such as 1,8-bisaminonaphthalene, however, they are slightly weaker bases than 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene. The high basicity of the cyclophane diamines is attributed mainly to their structural flexibility, which allows them to maximize the hydrogen bond strength in the cations by achieving N-H?N linearity, while strain relief upon protonation is less important. Another contributing factor is the stabilizing interaction of the added proton with adjacent phenyl π systems of the cyclophanes. Barriers for proton transfer between the nitrogen atoms of the diamine cations are also reported.     

How Strong is Hydrogen Bonding to Amide Nitrogen?

The protonation of the carboxamide nitrogen atom is an essential part of in vivo and in vitro processes (cis-trans isomerization, amides hydrolysis etc). This phenomenon is well studied in geometrically strongly distorted amides, although there is little data concerning the protonation of undistorted amides. In the latter case, the participation of amide nitrogen in hydrogen bonding (which can be regarded as the incipient state of a proton transfer process) is less well-studied. Thus, it would be a worthy goal to investigate the enthalpy of this interaction. We prepared and investigated a set of peri-substituted naphthalenes containing the protonated dimethylamino group next to the amide nitrogen atom (“amide proton sponges”), which could serve as models for the study of an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the amide nitrogen atom. X-Ray analysis, NMR spectra, basicity values as well as quantum chemical calculations revealed the existence of a hydrogen bond with the amide nitrogen, that should be attributed to the borderline between moderate and weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds (2–7 kcal ⋅ mol⁻¹).     

N—H⋯π hydrogen bonding in 2‐amino­fluorene

The amino group of the title compound, C₁₃H₁₁N, does not form N—H?N hydrogen bonds, but is engaged only in weaker N—H?Ph and C—H?N interactions. An aromatic ring acts as a double hydrogen‐bond acceptor, leading to an infinite H—N—H?Ph?H—N—H?Ph array.     

Features of Protonation of the Simplest Weakly Basic Molecules,SO2, CO,N2O,CO2, and Others by Solid Carborane Superacids

An experimental study on protonation of simple weakly basic molecules (L) by the strongest solid superacid, H(CHB₁₁F₁₁), showed that basicity of SO₂ is high enough (during attachment to the acidic H atoms at partial pressure of 1 atm) to break the bridged H‐bonds of the polymeric acid and to form a mixture of solid mono‐ LH⁺???An^?, and disolvates, L?H⁺?L. With a decrease in the basicity of L=CO (via C), N₂O, and CO (via O), only proton monosolvates are formed, which approach L?H⁺?An^? species with convergence of the strengths of bridged H‐bonds. The molecules with the weakest basicity, such as CO₂ and weaker, when attached to the proton, cannot break the bridged H‐bond of the polymeric superacid, and the interaction stops at stage of physical adsorption. It is shown here that under the conditions of acid monomerization, it is possible to protonate such weak bases as CO₂, N₂, and Xe.     

2‐Iodo‐N‐(3‐nitrobenzyl)aniline and 3‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitrobenzyl)aniline exhibit entirely different patterns of supramolecular aggregation

In 2‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitro­benzyl)­aniline, C₁₃H₁₁IN₂O₂, the mol­ecules are linked into a three‐dimensional structure by a combination of C—H?O hydrogen bonds, iodo–nitro interactions and aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions, but N—H?O and C—H?π(arene) hydrogen bonds are absent. In the isomeric 3‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitro­benzyl)­aniline, a two‐dimensional array is generated by a combination of N—H?O, C—H?O and C—H?π(arene) hydrogen bonds, but iodo–nitro interactions and aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions are both absent.     

Geometrical features of hydrogen bonded complexes involving sterically hindered pyridines

The ability of strongly sterically hindered pyridines to form hydrogen bonded complexes was inspected using low-temperature 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopy in a liquefied Freon mixture. The proton acceptors were 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-4-methyl- and 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-4-diethylaminopyridine; the proton donors were hydrogen tetrafluoroborate, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride. The presence of the tert-butyl groups in the ortho positions dramatically perturbed the geometry of the forming hydrogen bonds. As revealed by experiment, the studied crowded pyridines could form hydrogen bonded complexes with proton donors exclusively through their protonation. Even the strongest small proton acceptor, anion F-, could not be received by the protonated base. Instead, the simplest hydrogen bonded complex involved the [FHF]- anion. This complex was characterized by the shortest possible N...F distance of about 2.8 A. Because the ortho tert-butyl groups did not prevent the hydrogen bond interaction between the protonated center and the anion completely, an increase of the pyridine basicity caused a further shortening of the N-H distance and a weakening of the hydrogen bond to the counterion.     

To What Extent are “Atoms in Molecules” Structures of Hydrocarbons Reproducible from the Promolecule Electron Densities?

The “atoms in molecules” structures of 225 unsubstituted hydrocarbons are derived from both the optimized and the promolecule electron densities. A comparative analysis demonstrates that the molecular graphs derived from these two types of electron densities at the same geometry are equivalent for almost 90 % of the hydrocarbons containing the same number and types of critical points. For the remaining 10 % of molecules, it is demonstrated that by inducing small perturbations, through the variation of the used basis set or slight changes in the used geometry, the emerging molecular graphs from both densities are also equivalent. Interestingly, the (3, ?1) critical point between two “non‐bonded” hydrogen atoms, which triggered “H?H bonding” controversy is also observed in the promolecule densities of certain hydrocarbons. Evidently, the topology of the electron density is not dictated by chemical bonds or strong interactions and deformations induced by the interactions of atoms in molecules have a quite marginal role, virtually null, in shaping the general traits of the topology of molecular electron densities of the studied hydrocarbons, whereas the key factor is the underlying atomic densities.     

Strong Hydrogen Bonding to the Amide Nitrogen Atom in an “Amide Proton Sponge”: Consequences for Structure and Reactivity

N-Protonated amides have been proposed as intermediates in several biologically important reactions, but they have yet to be identified spectroscopically. The first step toward this goal is now reported in the form of spectroscopic and crystallographic proof of a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond between a charged proton donor and an amide nitrogen atom in the “proton sponge” derivative 1 ; novel reactivity results from this interaction. TfO⁻⁼trifluoromethanesulfonate.     

NMR studies of coupled low- and high-barrier hydrogen bonds in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate model systems in polar solution

The 1H and 15N NMR spectra of several 15N-labeled pyridoxal-5'-phosphate model systems have been measured at low temperature in various aprotic and protic solvents of different polarity, i.e., dichloromethane-d2, acetonitrile-d3, tetrahydrofuran-d8, freon mixture CDF3/CDClF2, and methanol. In particular, the 15N-labeled 5'-triisopropyl-silyl ether of N-(pyridoxylidene)-tolylamine (1a), N-(pyridoxylidene)-methylamine (2a), and the Schiff base with 15N-2-methylaspartic acid (3a) and their complexes with proton donors such as triphenylmethanol, phenol, and carboxylic acids of increasing strength were studied. With the use of hydrogen bond correlation techniques, the 1H/15N chemical shift and scalar coupling data could be associated with the geometries of the intermolecular O1H1N1 (pyridine nitrogen) and the intramolecular O2H2N2 (Schiff base) hydrogen bonds. Whereas O1H1N1 is characterized by a series of asymmetric low-barrier hydrogen bonds, the proton in O2H2N2 faces a barrier for proton transfer of medium height. When the substituent on the Schiff base nitrogen is an aromatic ring, the shift of the proton in O1H1N1 from oxygen to nitrogen has little effect on the position of the proton in the O2H2N2 hydrogen bond. By contrast, when the substituent on the Schiff base nitrogen is a methyl group, a proton shift from O to N in O1H1N1 drives the tautomeric equilibrium in O2H2N2 from the neutral O2-H2...N2 to the zwitterionic O2-...H2-N(2+) form. This coupling is lost in aqueous solution where the intramolecular O2H2N2 hydrogen bond is broken by solute-solvent interactions. However, in methanol, which mimics hydrogen bonds to the Schiff base in the enzyme active site, the coupling is preserved. Therefore, the reactivity of Schiff base intermediates in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate enzymes can likely be tuned to the requirements of the reaction being catalyzed by differential protonation of the pyridine nitrogen.     

1,8-bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN): a new, superbasic and kinetically active "proton sponge"

1,8-Bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN, 1) is a new, readily accessible, and stable "proton sponge" with an experimental pK(BH(+)) value of 25.1 in MeCN, which is nearly seven orders of magnitude higher in basicity than the classical proton sponge 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)-naphthalene (DMAN). Because of the sterically less crowded character of the proton-accepting sp(2)-nitrogen atoms, TMGN also has a higher kinetic basicity than DMAN, which is shown by time-resolved proton self-exchange reactions. TMGN is more resistant to hydrolysis and is a weaker nucleophile towards the alkylating agent EtI in comparison to the commercially available guanidine 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD). Crystal structures of the free base, of the mono- and bisprotonated base were determined. The dynamic behavior of all three species in solution was investigated by variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments. DeltaG (++) values obtained by spectra simulation reveal a concerted mechanism of rotation about the C-N bonds of the protonated forms of TMGN.     

FTIR analysis of hydrogen bonding in amorphous linear aromatic polyurethanes. I. Influence of temperature

Fourier-transform infrared spectral studies of an amorphous linear aromatic polyurethane at various temperatures were performed. Hydrogen bonding was studied in the N? H stretching (3347 cm^?1) and the bending (1535 cm^?1) regions, using the band decomposition technique. The variations with temperature are used to calculate the ratio of the absorptivity coefficients for the H-bonded to the “free” N? H vibrations. This ratio is found to be independent of temperature. The enthalpy and the entropy of hydrogen bond dissociation are also obtained as 9.6 kJ mol^?1 and 44.8 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. Two C?C in-plane vibrational bands of the aromatic rings at 1614 and 1598 cm^?1 were studied at different temperatures. The integrated absorbance for both bands decreases clearly and regularly with increasing temperature, and both bands shift to lower wavenumbers. This strongly suggests a specific interaction for the aromatic rings, probably N? H … π hydrogen bonds, which will be discussed in detail in the second part of this series. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

“Hummingbird” Behaviour of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Stabilises Out‐of‐Plane Bonding of AuCl and CuCl Units

An N‐heterocyclic carbene substituted by two expanded 9‐ethyl‐9‐fluorenyl groups was shown to bind an AuCl unit in an unusual manner, namely with the Au?X rod sitting out of the plane defined by the heterocyclic carbene unit. As shown by X‐ray studies and DFT calculations, the observed large pitch angle (21°) arises from an easy displacement of the gold(I) atom away from the carbene lone‐pair axis, combined with the stabilisation provided by weak CH???Au interactions involving aliphatic and aromatic H atoms of the NHC wingtips. Weak, intermolecular Cl???H bonds are likely to cooperate with the H???Au interactions to stabilise the out‐of‐plane conformation. A general belief until now was that tilt angles in NHC complexes arise mainly from steric effects within the first coordination sphere.