Reactions of ( Benzamidomethyl ) triethylammonium Chloride with Some Inorganic Nucleophiles in Aqueous Media

A variety of benzamidomethyl derivatives were prepared in water under alkaline conditions (pH>9) via reaction of (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium chloride (1) with different inorganic nucleophiles. Reaction of 1 with hydroxylamine did not give the expected mono(benzamidomethyl)-hydroxylamine (3) but rather gave N,Ndi(benzamidomethyl)hydroxylamine (2). Reactions of 1 with sodium azide and potassium cyanide gave benzamidomethyl azide (4a) and benzamidomethyl cyanide (4b) respectively. Potassium thiocyanate and sodium iodide reacted with 1, and the anionexchanged products (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium isothiocyanate (5a) and (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium iodide (5b) were thus obtained. Cyanamide and potassium cyanate reacted readily with 1 and both gave the same mixture of di(benzamidomethyl)amine (7) and tri(benzamidomethyl)amine (8). All the reactions occurred smoothly, under mild conditions, to give the products in moderate to high yields.


Introduction
Quaternary ammonium salts have been used extensively in preparative organic chemistry.Their properties have been thoroughly studied and they have been found to be superb phase-transfer catalysts in terms of stability, toxicity and cost [1].Our previous research has shown that (benzamidomethyl)-triethylammonium chloride (1) is an excellent benzamidomethylating agent, both in non-aqueous and in aqueous media (pH > 9) [2,3].We were especially interested in benzamidomethylation of phenols, thiols, amines and dithiocarbamates in aqueous media using 1, because of the mild reaction conditions, high yields and simple isolation of products [3].In the course of this work, we have also carried out reactions of 1 with ammonia obtaining a mixture of di(benzamidomethyl)amine and tri(benzamido-methyl)amine [3].Our intention was to further explore the reactions of 1 in aqueous media with other inorganic nucleophilic compounds.

Results and Discussion
The reactions of 1 with aqueous solutions of hydroxylamine always gave N,Ndi(benzamidomethyl)-hydroxylamine (2) as a colorless precipitate, regardless of the mole ratio of reactants and the rate and mode of addition (normal vs. inverse, Scheme 1).Mono(benzamidomethyl)hydroxylamine (3) was not obtained even when a two or three-fold excess of hydroxylamine was used.This phenomenon is comparable to our previous finding that primary amines give dibenzamidomethyl derivatives with 1 [3].

Scheme 1.
1 The probable explanation of this phenomenon is that 3 is indeed formed but is rapidly benzamidomethylated by 1.Another plausible explanation is that 3, under the reaction conditions, undergoes self-alkylation to give the observed product, N,N-di(benzamidomethyl)hydroxylamine (2) (along with hydroxylamine).Benzamidomethyl azide (4a) and benzamidomethyl cyanide (4b) were obtained in the reactions of 1 with concentrated aqueous solutions of sodium azide and potassium cyanide, respectively (Scheme 2).It is interesting to note that an unfamiliar phenomenon was observed in the infrared spectra of compound 4b.Thus, whereas the infrared spectra of 4a showed two intense bands at 2125 cm -1 and 2085 cm -1 characteristic of the azide group [4], in the infrared spectra of 4b, however, the C≡N band (~2100 cm -1 ) was not observed [4].The structure of 4b was confirmed based on other spectroscopic methods ( 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR), as well as elemental analysis and comparison of its melting point [5][6][7].In our previous work devoted to this peculiar phenomenon, we have interpreted such behavior as a purely molecular (not a solid state) effect.Such experimental findings were also supported by our preliminary ab initio studies of several molecular systems, which indicated rather small dipole moment changes in the course of excitation of the CN vibrational mode.The absence of C≡N band, has been further confirmed by preparation of series of related derivatives and recording their IR spectra.Both experimental and theoretical data suggest that under the measurement conditions the C≡N band will not be observed [8].

SCN
Attempts to synthesize benzamidomethyl isothiocyanate (BAM-NCS) and N-(iodomethyl)benzamide (BAM-I) using the reaction of 1 with potassium thiocyanate and sodium iodide respectively in aqueous solutions were unsuccessful.We were curious to see, in the case of the reaction of the potassium thiocyanate (a well studied ambident nucleophile) [9] with 1, whether S or N alkylation would take place.To our surprise, instead of the expected nucleophilic reaction, simple anionexchange occurred and (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium thiocyanate (5a) and (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium iodide (5b) were obtained (Scheme 2).All doubts about the identity of 5a were removed by comparison of the IR bands and 13 C-NMR chemical shift of the SCN anion with the commercially available tetrabutylammonium thiocyanate [10].It has been established that anions are less nucleophilic in water than in dipolar aprotic media [11].This diminished nucleophilicity in water and the fact that thiocyanate ion and iodide ion are soft nucleophiles (Lewis bases) [12] with affinity for soft cations (i.e., tetralkylammonium cations) can be used to rationalize the observed results.Additionally, it has been reported that the thiocyanate anion has a large affinity for quaternary ammonium cations [13].The physicochemical data and yields for the derivatives 2-5b are given in Table 1 and the NMR data is given in Table 2.As an aside, the water solubility of the (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium salts is dependant on the counter-ion.For instance, the chloride 1 is the most soluble, the iodide 5b is partially soluble, and the isothiocyanate 5a is insoluble in water at room temperature.
The reaction of cyanamide with 1 and the reaction of potassium cyanate with 1 in aqueous solution (pH > 9) gave the same mixture of two products: di(benzamidomethyl)amine (7) and tri(benzamidomethyl)amine (8) (Scheme 3).These products were previously prepared by a different route and fully characterized in our laboratories [3].Based on the known chemistry of cyanamide [14], we postulate that di(benzamidomethyl)cyanamide ( 6) is formed first, and is rapidly hydrolyzed under the reaction conditions to give 7.A portion of 7 reacts with the remaining of 1 to give 8.
It is known that reactions of electrophiles, such as alkyl halides, with cyanate anion give alkyl isocyanates (R-NCO) almost exclusively [15].In the case of the reaction between 1 and potassium cyanate the benzamidomethyl isocyanate ( 9) is the most likely intermediate and is hydrolyzed under the reaction conditions to the amine 10 (via the intermediacy of the N-substituted carbamic acid which decomposes to give an amine and carbon dioxide) [15].The primary amine 10 reacts with the rest of the unreacted 1 to give a mixture of 7 and 8.

Conclusions
In summary, (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium chloride (1) displays an interesting reactivity in aqueous media (pH>9), depending on the nature of the nucleophiles.With hard nucleophiles it gives substitution products, some of which, depending on their nature, subsequently hydrolyze.With soft nucleophiles anion exchange takes place.

General
Melting points were determined on a Reichert heating plate and were uncorrected.C,H elemental analysis was carried out with Coleman Model 33.N elemental analysis was carried out by the Dümas method.NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker 400 MHz instrument using DMSO-d 6 as solvent and tetramethylsilane as internal standard.Infrared spectra (KBr pellets) were measured on a Perkin-Elmer System 2000 FT IR.All the reagents and solvents were obtained from commercial sources and were used without further purification.(Benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium chloride (1) was obtained as described in our previous work [2].

N,N-Di(benzamidomethyl)hydroxylamine (2).
A solution of hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.289 g; 4.16 mmol) in water (10 mL) was added to a solution of 1 (2.690 g; 9.93 mmol) in water (30 mL).Triethylamine (0.7 mL) was added in one portion and colourless crystals started to form after several seconds.The mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature and filtered.Purification was performed by recrystallization from ethanol.

Benzamidomethyl azide (4a).
A solution of sodium azide (0.337 g; 5.20 mmol) in water (10 mL) was added to a solution of 1 (1.867 g; 6.70 mmol) in water (10 mL).Several drops of triethylamine were added (pH > 9).The mixture was stirred at room temperature and crystals were obtained after 3 h by cooling in ice bath.The product was filtered off and air-dried to give colorless crystals (from water).

Benzamidomethyl cyanide (4b).
A solution of potassium cyanide (0.874 g; 13.43 mmol) in water (20 mL) was added in small portions to a solution of 1 (3.826 g; 13.43 mmol) in water (30 mL).The mixture was stired for 2-3 h at room temperature.White lumps formed, which were broken up with a glass rod.Colourless crystals were collected by filtration and purification was performed by dissolving the product in dioxane and precipitating with a few drops of cold water.