Nitrenium ion

This article is about the positive ions. For other compounds with the formula NH2 but different charges, see amino radical and azanide.
Nitrenium ion
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/H2N/h1H2/q+1
    Key: QTLMMXDMXKCANI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [NH2+]
Properties
H2N+
Molar mass 16.022 g·mol−1
Related compounds
Related compounds
 NH4+; NH2−; N•H2
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

A nitrenium ion (also called: aminylium ion or imidonium ion (obsolete)) in organic chemistry is a reactive intermediate based on nitrogen with both an electron lone pair and a positive charge and with two substituents (R2N+).[1][2] Nitrenium ions are isoelectronic with carbenes, and can exist in either a singlet or a triplet state. The parent nitrenium ion, NH+2, is a ground state triplet species with a gap of 30 kcal/mol (130 kJ/mol) to the lowest energy singlet state. Conversely, most arylnitrenium ions are ground state singlets. Certain substituted arylnitrenium ions can be ground state triplets, however. Nitrenium ions can have microsecond or longer lifetimes in water.[3]

Aryl nitrenium ions are of biological interest because of their involvement in certain DNA damaging processes. They are generated upon in vivo oxidation of arylamines. The regiochemistry and energetics of the reaction of phenylnitrenium ion with guanine has been investigated using density functional theory computations.[4]

Nitrenium species have been exploited as intermediates in organic reactions.[5] They are typically generated via heterolysis of N–X (X = N, O, Halogen) bonds. For instance, they are formed upon treatment of chloramine derivatives with silver salts or by activation of aryl hydroxylamine derivatives or aryl azides with Brønsted or Lewis acids.[6] The Bamberger rearrangement is an early example of a reaction that is now thought to proceed via an aryl nitrenium intermediate. They can also act as electrophiles in electrophilic aromatic substitution.[7]

  1. ^ Moss, Robert A.; Platz, Matthew S.; Jones, Maitland Jr, eds. (2004). Reactive Intermediate Chemistry. Wiley. ISBN 9780471233244.[page needed]
  2. ^ IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "nitrenium ions". doi:10.1351/goldbook.N04146
  3. ^ de Carvalho, Marcia; Sorrilha, Ana E. P. M.; Rodrigues, J. Augusto R. (1999). "Reaction of aromatic azides with strong acids: Formation of fused nitrogen heterocycles and arylamines" (PDF). Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society. 10 (5): 415–420. doi:10.1590/S0103-50531999000500012.
  4. ^ Parks, J. M.; Ford, G. P.; Cramer, C. J. (2001). "Quantum chemical characterization of the reactions of guanine with the phenylnitrenium ion". Journal of Organic Chemistry. 66 (26): 8997–9004. doi:10.1021/jo016066+. PMID 11749633.
  5. ^ Borodkin, G I; Shubin, V G (2008-05-31). "Nitrenium ions: structure and reactivity". Russian Chemical Reviews. 77 (5): 395–419. Bibcode:2008RuCRv..77..395B. doi:10.1070/RC2008v077n05ABEH003760. ISSN 0036-021X. S2CID 250845065.
  6. ^ Kikugawa, Yasuo (2009). "Application of Stable Nitrenium Ions to Preparative Organic Chemistry". Heterocycles. 78 (3): 571. doi:10.3987/REV-08-644. ISSN 0385-5414.
  7. ^ Bogdał, Dariusz (2001). "Microwave-assisted generation of carbazolyl nitrenium cation". Arkivoc. 2001 (6): 109–115. doi:10.3998/ark.5550190.0002.611. hdl:2027/spo.5550190.0002.611.