Charge transfer complexes of N-substituted 2-pyrrolidinones

Abstract

The complex formation of 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone, 1-benzyl-2-pyrrolidinone and 1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone with iodine, iodine monobromide and iodine monochloride has been studied by u.v. and visible spectroscopic methods in carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, n-heptane and cyclohexane. The results show the equilibrium constants ( K), complexation enthalpies (Δ H) and the wavelengths of maximum absorption bands (λ max) of the complexes to vary markedly with the solvent. The decrease in the K values with increasing acceptor number (AN) of the solvent may be due to the competition of the solvent and the halogen molecule for the amide; for halogenated hydrocarbon solvents can act as weak electron acceptors. The complex formation ability of the electron donors decreases in the order 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone ⪢ 1-benzyl-2-pyrrolidinone ⪢ 1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and the electron acceptor properties decrease in the order iodine monochloride ⪢ iodine monobromide ⪢ iodine.