In organic chemistry, a nitrone is a functional group consisting of an N-oxide of an imine. The general structure is R1R2C=N+(−O−)(−R3), where R3 is not a hydrogen. Their primary application is intermediates in chemical synthesis. A nitrone is a 1,3-dipole used in cycloadditions, and a carbonyl mimic.
Nitrones, as a tetrasubstituted double bond, admit cis–trans isomerism. [1] : 474
Typical nitrone sources are hydroxylamine oxidation or condensation with carbonyl compounds. Secondary hydroxylamines oxidize to nitrones in air over a timescale of several weeks, a process cupric salts accelerate. [1] : 476 [2] : 332–333 The most general reagent used for the oxidation of hydroxylamines is aqueous mercuric oxide: [1] : 476 [3]
However, a hydroxylamine with two α hydrogens may unsaturate on either side. Carbonyl condensation avoids this ambiguity... [4]
...but is inhibited if both ketone substituents are bulky. [1] : 477
In principle, N-alkylation could produce nitrones from oximes, but in practice electrophiles typically perform a mixture of N- and O-attack. [1] : 479 [2] : 334
Some nitrones oligomerize: [1] : 483 [2] : 334,337-338 [5]
Syntheses with nitrone precursors obviate the issue with increased temperature, to exaggerate entropic factors; or with a nitrone excess.
Like many other unsaturated functional groups, nitrones activate the α and β carbons towards reaction. The α carbon is an electrophile and the β carbon a nucleophile; that is, nitrones polarize like carbonyls and nitriles but unlike nitro compounds and vinyl sulfur derivatives. [1] : 483 [2] : 338–340
Nitrones hydrolyze extremely easily to the corresponding carbonyl and N-hydroxylamine. [1] : 491 [2] : 344
As 1,3‑dipoles, nitrones perform [3+2] cycloadditions. [6] For example, a dipolarophilic alkene combines to form isoxazolidine:
Other ring-closing reactions are known, [7] including formal [3+3] and [5+2] cycloadditions. [6]
Deoxygenating reagents, light, or heat all catalyze rearrangement to the amide. Acids catalyze rearrangement to the oxime ether. [1] : 489–490 [2] : 345–347
Hydrides add to give hydroxylamines. Reducing Lewis acids (e.g. metals, SO2) deoxygenate to the imine instead. [1] : 490 [2] : 343