Reactions of the paramagnetic quaternary Mannich base in an alkaline medium

Abstract

The catalytic action of aqueous NaOH at 20 °C on 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3-(N-methyl-piperidiniomethyl)-4-oxopiperidine 1-oxyl iodide rapidly resulted in the formation (k = 57 L mol−1 s−1) of a paramagnetic ketone with an activated double bond: 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3-methylidene-4-oxopiperidine 1-oxyl. The latter underwent slow transformation into a nitroxyl biradical containing an activated double bond and a methylene bridge linking positions 3 and 3′.