Sterically hindered aromatic compounds. VIII. Comparative photochemistry of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl- and 2,5-tert-butylnitrosobenzenes

Ultraviolet irradiation of hydrocarbon solutions of 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylnitrosobenzene (1) formed [Formula: see text] The initial products were 2-methyl-1-nitroso-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl)-phenylpropane (Ar—C(CH3)2CH2NO)2 (3) and a mixed dimer (4). Secondary and minor photoproducts isolated included 2-methyl-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl)phenylpropanal oxime (5), 2-methyl-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl)phenylpropanal (6) derived from 5, and 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene (7). The initial products are explained by formation of a tri-tert-butylphenyl radical (15), rearrangement of a hydrogen atom from an orthotert-butyl to the ring in 15, and rapid recombination of the neophyl radical with nitric oxide. Photolysis of 2,5-di-tert-butylnitrosobenzene (2) initially gave [Formula: see text] (10). Product analysis indicated a comparatively complex mixture including 1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene (11), 2,5-di-tert-butylphenol (12), and 2,5-di-tert-butylanilino-p-(2,5-di-tert-butyl)quinone (13). Evidence indicates that 12 and 13 form from free radical reactions involving 10 and the 2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl radical. The different photochemistry of 1 and 2 is discussed in terms of differential steric and conformational effects on the nitroso function which also is evident in their ultraviolet spectra.