title: Electrochemically controlled hydrogen bonding. Redox-dependent formation of a 2:1 diarylurea/dinitrobenzene2- complex.
abstract: [reaction: see text] The electrochemistry of 1,2-dinitrobenzene (1,2-DNB), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), and 1,4-dinitrobenzene (1,4-DNB) is strongly affected by the presence of 1,3-diphenylurea. In DMF, the second reduction potential of all three DNBs shifts substantially positive in the presence of the urea, indicating very strong hydrogen bonding to the dianions. With 1,2- and 1,3-DNB, the hydrogen bonding leads to irreversible chemistry, likely due to proton transfer from the urea to the dianions. No such irreversible behavior is observed with 1,4-DNB. Instead, the second reduction shifts into the first reduction, producing a single, reversible, two-electron cyclic voltammetric wave at high urea concentrations. Computer simulations show that the changes in wave shape accompanying this process are well accounted for by the stepwise formation of a 1:1 and 2:1 1,3-diphenylurea/DNB2- complex, with sequential binding constants of approximately 5.5 x 10(4) M(-1) and approximately 4.0 x 10(3) M(-1) in DMF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182-1030, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chan-Leonor
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Diane K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith