SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PHENYL-SUBSTITUTED C-PHENYL-N-TERT-BUTYLNITRONES AND SOME OF THEIR RADICAL ADDUCTS

Synthesis of C-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and several of its analogues with substituents in the 2-, 3-, or 4-position on the phenyl ring is described. While a one-pot reduction/condensation method proved suitable for most compounds, it was necessary to prepare some examples by direct condensation or through oxidation of the appropriate imine. The H-1 NMR data for the 3-X- and 4-X-PBN's can be correlated with the Hammett equation. For the 3-X series DELTA-delta for the alpha-proton correlates best with sigma(+) and has a correlation coefficient of 0.90. For the 4-X series a dual substituent parameter equation using sigma(R)0 gives the best correlation with r = 0.99. The hyperfine splitting constants (hfsc's) of the HO. and HOO. adducts of several substituted PBN's are also included and their correlation with the Hammett equation is discussed.