1,8‐Bis(dialkylamino)‐4,5‐dinitronaphthalenes and 4,5‐Bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene‐1,8‐dicarbaldehyde as “Push–Pull” Proton Sponges: When and Why Formyl Groups Become Stronger π‐Electron Acceptors than Nitro Groups

Abstract

AbstractSingle‐crystal X‐ray studies of four representatives of “push–pull” proton sponges, namely 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)‐, 1,8‐bis(diethylamino)‐, 1,8‐bis(dipropylamino)‐4,5‐dinitronaphthalenes and 4,5‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene‐1,8‐dicarbaldehyde have been performed at low and ambient temperatures. The most interesting and unexpected result is that the formyl groups in the peri‐dialdehyde display stronger π‐acceptor effects than the nitro groups. This phenomenon is ascribed to smaller steric demands of the CHO groups, their lower electrostatic repulsion, and specific packing forces. The naphthalene cores of all but one of the molecules are markedly twisted (21–26°) while that of the diethylamino derivative is not (<5°), providing different and somewhat unpredictable ways of resonance stabilization and steric relaxation. The through‐conjugation in the above compounds is also discussed for gas and solution phases on the basis of theoretical calculations, UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectra.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)