Nitrone


A nitrone is a functional group in organic chemistry consisting of an N-oxide of an imine. The general structure is R1R2C=NR3+O− where R3 is not H. A nitrone is a 1,3-dipole, and is used in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Other reactions of nitrones are known, including formal cycloadditions to form 6-membered rings, as well as formal cycloadditions to form 7-membered rings. Nitrones should not be confused with nitrenes.

Generation of nitrones

Nitrones are generated most often either by the oxidation of hydroxylamines or condensation of monosubstituted hydroxylamines with carbonyl compounds. The most general reagent used for the oxidation of hydroxylamines is mercury oxide.

Carbonyl condensation methods avoid issues of site selectivity associated with the oxidation of hydroxylamines with two sets of hydrogens.

A significant problem associated with many reactive nitrones is dimerization. This issue is alleviated experimentally by employing an excess of the nitrone or increasing the reaction temperature to exaggerate entropic factors.

Reactions

1,3-dipolar cycloadditions

As 1,3-dipoles, nitrones are useful in 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Upon reaction of a nitrone with an alkene dipolarophile, an isoxazolidine is formed: