Structure and Reactivity of the 1,10-Phenanthroline Complex with Nitrenium Cation

According to the X-ray diffraction data, the cationic fragment in 1-amino-1,10-phenanthrolinium mesitylenesulfonate is a unidentate n-complex whose asymmetric structure is retained in solution. Quantum-chemical calculations by the AM1 method and ab initio (6-31G, 6-31G*, MP2/6-31G) give geometric parameters of the cation, which are similar to those determined experimentally. No dynamic processes involving intra- or intermolecular transfer of the NH2 group was observed up to 100°C by NMR spectroscopy. 1-Amino-1,10-phenanthrolinium cation does not react with 4-methylpyridine and 4-methyl-1,10-phenan-throline with transfer of the amino group, and it fails to react with mesitylene and anthracene at elevated temperature.