Molecular geometry and optical activity of N-nitroso-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidines generated by spontaneous crystallization and inclusion complexation with optically active diols

Three sterically strained N-nitrosamines and their inclusion complexes with optically active diols (TADDOLs) were obtained and their solid state crystal structures are described. Owing to the formation of N-nitroso-4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 2 as spontaneously resolvable conglomerate crystals (space group P3₂) its solid state CD was measured. The crystal structures of the inclusion complexes revealed that in all cases the guest nitrosamines assume chiral conformations as seen by their chiroptical spectra. The optically active nitrosamines are configurationally labile and rapidly racemize in solution. The solid state structures revealed that in order to avoid an allylic 1,3-strain A^(1,3)], caused by an interaction of the nitrosamino group with the methyl substituents, the piperidine ring in 1 and 2 assumes a chair conformation significantly flattened at the amino nitrogen whereas in the 4-oxo derivative 3 the piperidine ring assumes a twist-boat conformation.