1,8-Bis(dialkylamino)-4,5-dinitronaphthalenes and 4,5-Bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene-1,8-dicarbaldehyde as “Push-Pull” Proton Sponges: When and Why Formyl Groups Become Stronger π-Electron Acceptors than Nitro Groups

Aromaticity of peri- and para-Substituted Naphthalene-1-carbaldehyde. Comparison with 1-Nitronaphthalene

Aromaticity of the naphthalene ring substituted by formyl or nitro and secondary amine groups in peri and para positions has been investigated. HOMA (harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity) index of the naphthalene rings has been used to characterize the aromaticity of the investigated molecules. Ellipticity of C2-C3 (C6-C7) bonds, obtained by means of topological analysis of the electron density, has been used as a measure of the through-resonance effect between the para substituents. Dependence of the HOMA values on the rotation angle of formyl and nitro groups to the aromatic plane for naphthalene-1-carbaldehyde and their derivatives with dimethylamino group in para position has been analyzed. It has been shown that the nitro group has a stronger resonance effect and causes greater decrease of aromaticity than the formyl group only for planar or close to planar conformation. The attractive and repulsive peri interactions have been analyzed by using the QTAIM and NCI methods. Interrelation between the peri and para interactions has been discussed.

Substituents and environment influences on aromaticity of peri- and para-substituted naphthalenes

The influence of substituents and environment on the aromaticity of the naphthalene ring is shown for a series of peri- and para-substituted naphthalenes. Crystal structure geometries are compared with the single molecule structures in vacuum (optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level) and with structures determined in media of different polarity. The harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index of the naphthalene rings has been used to characterize the aromaticity of the investigated molecules. It has been shown that the ellipticity of the C2-C3 (C6-C7) bonds can be applied as a measure of participation of the quinoid resonance structure and through-resonance effect between the para-substituents.

1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene/9-aminoacridine: a new binary matrix for lipid fingerprinting of intact bacteria by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry

The effectiveness of a novel binary matrix composed of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN; proton sponge) and 9-aminoacridine (9AA) for the direct lipid analysis of whole bacterial cells by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) is demonstrated. Deprotonated analyte signals nearly free of matrix-related ions were observed in negative ion mode. The effect of the most important factors (laser energy, pulse voltage, DMAN/9AA ratio, analyte/matrix ratio) was investigated using a Box-Behnken response surface design followed by multi-response optimization in order to simultaneously maximize signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and resolution. The chemical surface composition of single or mixed matrices was explored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, XPS imaging was used to map the spatial distribution of a model phospholipid in single or binary matrices. The DMAN/9AA binary matrix was then successfully applied to the analysis of intact Gram positive (Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis) or Gram negative (Escherichia coli) microorganisms. About fifty major membrane components (free fatty acids, mono-, di- and tri-glycerides, phospholipids, glycolipids and cardiolipins) were quickly and easily detected over a mass range spanning from ca. 200 to ca. 1600 m/z. Moreover, mass spectra with improved S/N ratio (compared to single matrices), reduced chemical noise and no formation of matrix-clusters were invariably obtained demonstrating the potential of this binary matrix to improve sensitivity.

Synthesis of chiral bis-oxazines: a preliminary assessment of helical conformational framework

A series of novel naphthalene attached bis-oxazines were synthesized and characterized. The bis-oxazines were studied by VT-NMR analysis to assess the possibility of conformational twist. The bis-oxazine prepared from (l)-methylvalinate show a helical conformational twist in the single crystal X-ray analysis. Three isomers of bis-oxazines were prepared from chiral α-methylbenzyl amines, the meso isomer showed small optical rotation probably indicating the helical conformational twist in the molecule.