Para-substituted Anilines Research Articles

Predicting pKa Values of Para-Substituted Aniline Radical Cations vs. Stable Anilinium Ions in Aqueous Media

The focus of pKa calculations has primarily been on stable molecules, with limited studies comparing radical cations and stable cations. In this study, we comprehensively investigate models with implicit solvent and explicit water molecules, direct and indirect calculation approaches, as well as methods for calculating free energy, solvation energy, and quasi-harmonic oscillator approximation for para-substituted aniline radical cations (R-PhNH2•+) and anilinium cations (R-PhNH3+) in the aqueous phase. Properly including and positioning explicit H2O molecules in the models is important for reliable pKa predictions. For R-PhNH2•+, precise pKa values were obtained using models with one or two explicit H2O molecules, resulting in a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.563 and 0.384, respectively, for both the CBS-QB3 and M062X(D3)/ma-def2QZVP methods. Further improvement was achieved by adding H2O near oxygen-containing substituents, leading to the lowest RMSE of 0.310. Predicting pKa values for R-PhNH3+ was more challenging. CBS-QB3 provided an RMSE of 0.349 and the M062X(D3)/ma-def2QZVP method failed to calculate pKa accurately (RMSE > 1). However, by adopting the double-hybrid functional method and adding H2O near the R substituent group, the calculations were significantly improved with an average absolute difference (ΔpKa) of 0.357 between the calculated and experimental pKa values. Our study offers efficient and reliable methods for pKa calculations of R-PhNH2•+ (especially) and R-PhNH3+ based on currently mature quantum chemistry software.

Sustainable N-Formylation of Anilines: Harnessing Aleuritic Acid as a Renewable Formyl Source

Abstract N-Formylation of anilines using a renewable aleuritic acid as an eco-friendly and sustainable formylating source has been developed. para-Substituted anilines generally provided good yields, while moderate yields were observed with meta- and ortho-substituted derivatives. In situ generated formic acid through oxidative cleavage of aleuritic acid serve as a formyl source, which has been confirmed through control experiments.

A Practical Method for the Synthesis of Mesoionic 1,3-Diaryltetrazolium Derivatives Bearing a para-Substituted Phenyl Group at the 1- or 3-Position from Anilines

AbstractA simple, economical, and safe method for the synthesis of mesoionic 1,3-diaryltetrazolium derivatives bearing a para-substituted phenyl group at the 1- or 3-position via thiosemicarbazides was established. Such compounds were directly obtained from the corresponding para-substituted anilines instead of aryl isothiocyanates and arylhydrazines. The newly synthesized mesoionic compounds were successfully converted into the corresponding nitrosotetrazolium salts, which were utilized as catalysts for oxidation of an aliphatic alcohol and analyzed by cyclic voltammetry to determine the correlation between the catalytic efficiencies and redox potentials. The proposed method can be widely applied and is valuable for investigating the substituent effects in mesoionic and related compounds.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure Analysis of Some Aromatic Imines of Syringaldehyde

A series of syringaldehyde imines with para-substituted anilines have been synthesized in a good yield, and their crystal structures have been analyzed. The orientation of the syringaldehyde hydroxyl group plays in important role in the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding pattern of the molecules. The O–H…N hydrogen bonding interactions primarily determine the three-dimensional packing of the molecules, even though they make up a relatively small percentage of intermolecular interactions in the molecules. The three structures with the p-hydroxy group cis to the imine group give hydrogen-bonded zigzag chains in the monoclinic crystals, while the structure with a trans hydroxy group crystallize in a hexagonal space group (R3¯) and form hydrogen-bonded hexamers. The hexagonal structure also displays Br…Br interactions, forming additional hexameric clusters. The analysis of published p-hydroxyphenyl imine crystal structures from the Cambridge Crystallographic Database revealed patterns in the length of the hydrogen bonding interactions based on steric congestion around the hydroxyl group.

<i>para</i>-substituted anilines in reactions with tropyl salts and dibenzosuberenol

The features of the interaction of para-substituted anilines with tropyl salts and dibenzosuberenol have been studied. By the interaction of para-substituted anilines with tropyl salts (perchlorate or tetrafluoroborate) in an ethanol or tetrahydrofuran medium, the corresponding azomethines were obtained instead of the expected ortho-tropylated anilines. The tropilidene cycle (1,3,5-cycloheptariene cycle) underwent benzilidene narrowing due to an increase in temperature during a chemical reaction. The structurally related tropilidene - dibenzosuberene cycle can be introduced into the ortho position of para-substituted anilines to form stable ortho products. Dibenzosuberenol in an acidic environment is able to interact with ethanol to form an ether.

Para-Substituted Anilines in Reactions with Tropylium Salts and Dibenzosuberenol

para-Substituted Anilines in Reactions with Tropylium Salts and Dibenzosuberenol

Inferring the Energetics of CO2-Aniline Adduct Formation from Vibrational Spectroscopy.

Control of atmospheric CO2 is an important contemporary scientific and engineering challenge. Toward this goal, the reaction of CO2 with amines to form carbamate bonds is an established method for CO2 capture. However, controllable reversal of this reaction remains difficult and requires tuning the energetics of the carbamate bond. Through IR spectroscopy, we show that a characteristic frequency observed upon carbamate formation varies as a function of the substituent's Hammett parameter for a family of para-substituted anilines. We present computational evidence that the vibrational frequency of the adducted CO2 serves as a predictor of the energy of formation of the carbamate. Electron donating groups typically enhance the driving force of carbamate formation by transferring more charge to the adducted CO2 and thus increasing the occupancy of the antibonding orbital in the carbon-oxygen bonds. Increased occupancy of the antibonding orbital within adducted CO2 indicates a weaker bond, leading to a red-shift in the characteristic carbamate frequency. Our work serves the large field of CO2 capture research where spectroscopic observables, such as IR frequencies, are more easily obtainable and can stand in as a descriptor of driving forces.

Metal-free electrochemical regioselective aromatic C–H bromination of N,N-disubstituted anilines using propargyl bromide as the unprecedented bromine source

Source of a functional group is always an important factor in the chemical synthesis. Herein a new method for the highly regioselective monobromination of N,N-disubstituted anilines has been disclosed using propargyl bromide as the unconventional bromine source under electrochemical condition. Unlike other bromine sources, neither it requires any polarization nor any activator. The reaction smoothly proceeds at room temperature without using any metal catalyst or bromide salt. For unsubstituted anilines regioselective para-bromination was observed whereas both meta- and para-substituted anilines undergo predominant ortho-bromination leading to the corresponding N,N-disubstituted bromoanilines in good yields. Plausible mechanism has been depicted with supporting B3LYP/6-31G DFT calculations to explain the relative energy driven process.

Rotational Barrier and Bond Dissociation Energy and Enthalpy: Computational Study of the Substituent Effects in <i>Para</i>-Substituted Anilines and Phenols

This report presents the N–H and O–H bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and enthalpies (BDEts) of 27 para-substituted anilines and phenols using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with functional wB97X-D and basis set 6-31G**. The computed BDEs/ BDEts show a strong correlation with the calculated rotational barrier (RB) around phenyl–NH2 and phenyl–OH bonds of the parent neutral molecules. Electron-withdrawing (EW) substituents increased RB and BDEs/BDEts, while electron-donating (ED) substituents caused opposite behavior. Geometric, atomic, molecular, and spectroscopic properties of NH2 and OH groups in neutral anilinic and phenolic molecules exhibited excellent correlations with RB and BDEs/BDEts. The geometry around heteroatoms of the radicals displayed constant geometrical changes for all substituents. Spin density maps confirmed that the unpaired electrons in radicals are delocalized in heteroatoms and phenyl rings for all the para-substituents. Spin delocalization in both types of radicals was further enhanced in the presence of para-ED substituents. The increase in electronic density around heteroatoms of radicals with the strength of ED substituents was found proportional to that in neutral molecules. Therefore, the N–H and O–H BDE/BDEt are mainly governed by the stabilization/destabilization of the neutral molecules and, to a significantly lower extent, the stabilization of radicals in the case of strong ED groups.

Arylamination via ortho-fusion on an azo-appended pyridine carboxamide complex of copper(II)

A square-pyramidal complex [CuII(L)(O2CMe)(H2O)] 1 (HL = 2–[N–(2–phenylazo)carbamoyl]pyridine) has been synthesized using a tridentate deprotonated arylazo-appended pyridine-2-carboxamide ligand. Aerobic reactions of 1 with para-substituted anilines in neat condition at 120 °C afforded isolation of its ortho-arylaminated products [CuII(L−N−C6H4−p−X)] (X = H 2, Me 3, OMe 4, F 5 and Cl 6). The starting brown complex 1 and arylaminated violet complexes 2−6 have been structurally characterized. The electronic spectral feature and redox properties of 1−6 have been examined. Along with CuII/CuI redox, azo-centered cathodic responses were also observed. For 2–6, a characteristic oxidative response due to Cu(II)-coordinated amine oxidation has been observed, modulated by ligand substituents. A linear correlation between the redox potential values of the arylaminated products 2–6 and the Hammett substituent constant σp for para-substituted anilines has been obtained, to rationalize the proposed mechanistic pathways of the observed ortho-fusion reaction. Density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations have allowed to rationalize the experimental results and to interpret the observed electronic transitions, respectively.

Preparation and DFT Study for New Three-Ring Supramolecular H-Bonded Induced Liquid Crystal Complexes.

Supramolecular three-ring Schiff base novel liquid crystal complexes have been prepared and investigated. Schiff bases of para-substituted aniline derivatives and para-pyridine carbaldehyde have been prepared and then mixed in equimolar quantities with para-alkoxy benzoic acids. On one side, the alkoxy chain length varies from 8 to 16 carbon atoms. On the other side, terminal small compact groups substituting aniline with various polarities are used. Hydrogen-bonding interaction was elucidated by FTIR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic thermal and optical characteristics of the samples were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). All samples exhibit enantiotropic mesophases. Experimental results obtained for the induced mesophases were correlated with density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations. The results revealed that both the polar compact groups’ polarity and the alkoxy chain lengths contribute strongly to mesomorphic characteristics and thermal stabilities of the mesophases. Surprisingly, the observed values of enthalpy changes associated with the crystalline mesomorphic transitions lie in the range of 2.2–12.5 kJ/mol. However, the enthalpy changes corresponding to the mesomorphic–isotropic transitions vary from 0.9 to 13.9 kJ/mol, depending on the polarity of para-attached groups to the aniline moiety.

Conversion of anilines to chiral benzylic amines via formal one-carbon insertion into aromatic C\u2013N bonds

Insertion of atoms into aromatic carbon-nitrogen bonds is an appealing method for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing molecules and it has the advantage of the availability and abundance of anilines. However, the direct cleavage of aromatic carbon-nitrogen bonds is challenging due to the particularly inert and stable nature of these bonds. Here we report a formal, enantioselective one-carbon insertion into an aromatic carbon-nitrogen bond via an aromaticity dissembly-reconstruction process to directly convert anilines to chiral α-branched benzylic amines. The process involves oxidative dearomatization of para-substituted anilines, chiral sulfur ylide-mediated asymmetric aziridination, and subsequent rearrangement. Chiral sulfur ylides serve as one-carbon insertion units.

Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction by a Series of Molecular Rhenium Catalysts Decorated with Second-Sphere Hydrogen-Bond Donors.

A series of rhenium(I) fac-tricarbonyl complexes containing pendent arylamine functionality in the second coordination sphere have been developed and studied as electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction. Aniline moieties were appended at the 6 position of a 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) donor in which the primary amine was positioned at the ortho- (1-Re), meta- (2-Re), and para- (3-Re) sites of the aniline substituent to generate a family of isomers. The relationship between the catalyst structure and activity was explored across the series, and the catalytic performance was compared to that of the benchmark catalyst Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl (ReBpy). Catalysts 1-Re, 2-Re, and 3-Re outperform the benchmark catalyst both in anhydrous acetonitrile and with added trifluoroethanol (TFE) as an external proton source. In the presence of TFE, the aniline-substituted catalysts convert CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) with high Faradaic efficiencies (≥89%) and have superior turnover frequencies (TOFs) relative to ReBpy (72.9 s-1), with 2-Re having the highest TOF of the series at 239 s-1, a value that is twice that of the next most active catalyst. TOFs of 123 and 109 s-1 were observed for the ortho- and para-substituted aniline complexes (1-Re and 3-Re), respectively. Indeed, catalytic activities vary widely across the series, showing a high sensitivity to the position of the amine functionality relative to the rhenium active site. IR and UV-vis spectroelectrochemical experiments were conducted on the aniline-substituted systems, revealing important differences between the catalysts and mechanistic insight.

Rotational barrier and electron-withdrawing substituent effects: Theoretical study of -conjugation in para-substituted anilines

The rotational barrier RB around C–NH2 bond between the minimum and maximum states of 84 electron-withdrawing groups at para-position in aniline were studied at the density functional wB97X-D/6-31G** level. The rotational barrier was found to correlate strongly with shortening of the C–NH2 bond, increase of flattening of NH2 group, decrease in negative natural charge on amino nitrogen, increase in minimum ionization potential around lone pair of amino nitrogen, increase in maximum (positive) electrostatic potential on amino hydrogens, increase in NH2 stretching frequencies, and increase in stabilization energy. The rotational barrier was also found to correlate well with empirical pKa and Hammett σp constants. The rotational barrier is shown to be a reliable quantum mechanical approach to measure p-conjugation in para-substituted anilines. Based on RB a quantitative scale is constructed for the ability of electron-withdrawing substituents to resonate with aniline. A quinone-like structure has been proposed for stronger electron-withdrawing substituents where an extension of resonance stabilization requires the simultaneous presence of electron donor (NH2) and electron-withdrawing groups.

Zn-Templated synthesis of substituted (2,6-diimine)pyridine proligands and evaluation of their iron complexes as anolytes for flow battery applications.

Pseudo-octahedral iron complexes supported by tridentate N^N^N-binding, redox 'non-innocent' diiminepyridine (DIP) ligands exhibit multiple reversible ligand-based reductions that suggest the potential application of these complexes as anolytes in redox flow batteries (RFBs). When bearing aryl groups at the imine nitrogens, substitution at the 4-position can be used to tune these redox potentials and impact other properties relevant to RFB applications, such as solubility and stability over extended cycling. DIP ligands bearing electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) in this position, however, can be challenging to isolate via typical condensation routes involving para-substituted anilines and 2,6-diacetylpyridine. In this work, we demonstrate a high-yielding Zn-templated synthesis of DIP ligands bearing strong EWGs. The synthesis and electrochemical characterization of iron(ii) complexes of these ligands is also described, along with properties relevant to their potential application as RFB anolytes.

Cytotoxicity of photoactivatable bromo tricarbonyl manganese(i) compounds against human liver carcinoma cells.

Two series of photoinduced tricarbonyl manganese(i) compounds were prepared from the reaction of [MnBr(CO)3(2-C(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]O)] (2-C(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]O: quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) and para-substituted aniline derivatives (X = OH, OCH3, Cl and NO2). Different electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents were introduced in the para-position of the phenyl ring to investigate their influence on the stability of the compounds in the dark and the photophysical properties upon illumination at 525 nm. When kept in the dark, the aerated solutions of the complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and CH2Cl2 were stable. In the solution, the complexes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents, exchange their bromo ligands with DMSO solvent molecules, as evidenced from infrared and UV/Vis studies as well as time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The complexes were assessed for their cytotoxicity, both in the dark and upon exposure to a 525 nm LED, against the human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). A marked reduction in the viability of HepG2 cells treated with the complex functionalized with quinoline and methoxy substituent was observed after illumination in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 7.1 μM, making it the most phototoxic compound in our study.

Tunable SiN Hybrid Conjugated Materials

We report the synthesis of a family of N-aryl cyclosilazanes. The reaction of 1,2-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)tetramethyldisilane with para-substituted anilines gives six-membered rings with no observed condensation polymerization. X-ray crystallography reveals the cyclosilazane adopts a twist boat conformation with both nitrogens in a trigonal planar geometry. Solution phase UV–vis spectroscopic studies coupled with density functional theory calculations interrogate the ability of the nitrogen atom to bridge the σ- and π-conjugated moieties. Depending on the aromatic substituent, the cyclosilazane rings may be either more or less electron rich than an all silicon ring.

Accelerated Chemical Synthesis: Three Ways of Performing the Katritzky Transamination Reaction

Typical laboratory exercises for undergraduate organic chemistry students involve bulk phase reactions with work up of product. In this study, students performed accelerated versions of the Katritzky reaction of para-substituted anilines with pyrylium salts in three ways: (i) by dropcasting reagents onto a paper surface and allowing solvent to evaporate, (ii) by evaporation of solvent from the reagent mixture in a rotary evaporator, and (iii) at an organic/water interface (“on water”). Students determined the reaction yield for all three accelerated reactions as well as in the conventional bulk phase by mass spectrometry. Acceleration factors (the ratio of the product to reagent ion signals in the accelerated vs conventional reaction) were used to compare the paper spray and rotary evaporator method as well as the “on water” method. Substituent effects were explored by using substituted anilines. Students’ understanding of acceleration of organic reactions was increased as seen in both laboratory reports and exit interviews.

A Study on the Kinetics and Mechanism of the One-Pot Formation of 3,4,5-Substituted Furan-2(5H)-Ones in the Presence of Lactic Acid: Effect of Different Substituents

The kinetics of the reaction between para-substituted anilines and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) with derivatives of benzaldehyde for the one-pot formation of 3,4,5-substituted furan-2(5 H)-ones in the presence of lactic acid as a catalyst have been studied spectrophotometrically at different temperatures. A mechanism involving four steps was proposed for the reactions, all of which followed second-order kinetics. The partial orders with respect to substituted aniline and DMAD were one and one and the reactions revealed zero-order kinetics for benzaldehyde and its derivatives. Changing of substituents on benzaldehyde left rates of reaction unaffected. However, various substituents on aniline showed that para electron-withdrawing groups decreased the rate of reaction. According to investigation of an isokinetic relationship, a common mechanism exists for all studied substituents and a general mechanism can be formulated. Kinetic values ( k and Ea) and associated activation parameters (Δ G‡, Δ S‡ and Δ H‡) of the reactions were determined.

Chiral Aniline Synthesis via Stereospecific C(sp3)-C(sp2) Coupling of Boronic Esters with Aryl Hydrazines.

An enantiospecific coupling between alkylboronic esters and lithiated aryl hydrazines is described. The reaction proceeds under transition-metal-free conditions and is promoted by acylation of a hydrazinyl arylboronate complex, which triggers a N–N bond cleavage with concomitant 1,2-metalate rearrangement. Judicious choice of the acylating agent enabled the synthesis of ortho- and para-substituted anilines with essentially complete enantiospecificity from a wide range of boronic ester substrates.