The Radical Cation of Azatriquinane: An ESR Study

Azatriquinane (=10-azatricyclo5.2.1.0^1,10]decane; 1 ) was oxidized to its radical cation 1 ^.+ by γ- irradiation in a CF₂ClCFCl₂ matrix at 77 K. A prominent feature of the ESR spectrum of 1 ^.+ is the ¹⁴N-hyperfine anisotropy which broadens the components with M_I(¹⁴N)=±1. The observed coupling constants are a_N=+ 2.5 and a_H=+ 4.0 mT for the ¹⁴N nucleus and the three methine β-protons, respectively. While the a_N value points to pyramidalization at the N-atom comparable to that in the radical cation of quinuclidine (=1-azabicyclo2.2.2]octane; 4 ), an eclipsing of the singly occupied orbital at this atom by the three C−H_β bonds is indicated in view of the large a_H value. Theoretical calculations on the geometry of 1 ^.+ are in accord with the conclusions drawn from the experimental findings.