Structural studies of two Tinuvin P analogs: 2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)- 2H-benzotriazole and 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/12092201

2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1) has been synthesized in a three step procedure starting from 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide via a 5-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-tetrazole intermediate. Its structure and those of Tinuvin P

Full text of DOI:10.3390/12092201

Molecules 2007, 12, 2201-2214
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
© 2007 by MDPI
www.mdpi.org/molecules
Full Paper
Structural Studies of Two Tinuvin® P Analogs:
2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole and
2-Phenyl-2H-benzotriazole
Rosa María Claramunt 1,*, Dolores Santa María 1, Elena Pinilla 2, M. Rosario Torres 2 and José
Elguero 3
1
Departamento de Química Orgánica y Bio-Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Senda del Rey 9,
28040 Madrid, Spain
2
Departamento de Química Inorgánica I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense
de Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
3
Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Juan de la
Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-mail: rclaramunt@ccia.uned.es;
Tel: (+34) 91 3987322; Fax: (+34) 91 3988372
Received: 11 September 2007; in revised form: 20 September 2007 / Accepted: 20 September 2007 /
Published: 21 September 2007
Abstract: 2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1) has been synthesized in a three
step procedure starting from 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide via a 5-(2,4-
dimethylphenyl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-tetrazole intermediate. Its structure and those of
Tinuvin® P and 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) have been studied by multinuclear NMR
(1H-, 13C- and 15N-) in solution and in the solid state. X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 and 5
allowed to us establish the molecular conformation around the single bond connecting the
two aromatic systems, in agreement with the conclusions drawn from the NMR study. In
the case of 1 ab initio geometry optimization was achieved at the Hartree-Fock HF/6-
31G** and DFT B3LYP/6-31G** levels.
Keywords: 2-Arylbenzotriazoles, synthesis, NMR, X-ray analysis, DFT

Molecules 2007, 12
2202
Introduction
In our search for new systems related to Ciba-Geigy's photoprotector Tinuvin® P [2-(2-hydroxy-5-
methylphenyl)benzotriazole, Figure 1] [1,2], whose efficiency is strongly dependent on the
conservation of planarity in the 2-aryl-2H-benzotriazole system during the proton transfer process, we
successfully prepared the novel compound 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1, Figure 1).
Figure 1.
H
O
N
N
N
N
N
CH3
N
H3C
CH3
Tinuvin® P
1
The two aromatic systems (the 2H-benzotriazole and the phenyl ring) can rotate about the single
bond connecting them adopting molecular conformations corresponding to the highest or lowest
energy values for the molecular system in the electronic state concerned. The energy balance for the
system at the minimum will reflect a compromise between delocalization of π electrons and
electrostatic or steric non-bonding interactions from molecular sites, positions 2' and 6', adjacent to the
connecting bond. Changes in such interactions can be expected to alter the twist angle corresponding
to the equilibrium situation and hence change its molecular structure.
Scheme 1.
N
N
N
N
N
CH3
N
CH3
H3C
H3C
In the structure of 2-aryl-2H-benzotriazoles the single bond connecting the two aromatic systems
retains its character throughout a torsional movement in the ground state as it is formed by an sp2
carbon atom that contributes with one π electron to the phenyl π system and an sp2 nitrogen atom that
contributes with two electrons to the benzotriazole heteroaromatic ring; this precludes their
conjugation without producing a charged, unstable form in the ground electronic state (see Scheme 1,
above). In addition, these systems can be made sterically hindered by introducing appropriate
substituents in the ortho position(s) of the phenyl ring.
Results and Discussion
Synthesis
The target of this study, 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1), was prepared as shown in
Scheme 2, following a procedure previously reported for the preparation of 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole

Molecules 2007, 12
2203
(5) [3]. The starting material, 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide (2), was converted into the
corresponding 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzimidoyl chloride (3), which was not isolated but
rather reacted directly with sodium azide in dry N,N-dimethylformamide to yield 5-(2,4-dimethyl-
phenyl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-1H-tetrazole (4). Finally, thermolysis of 4 in nitrobenzene afforded
compound 1 in 80% yield. The benzamide 2 in turn was readily prepared by reacting 2,4-dimethyl-
1
benzoyl chloride with 2-nitroaniline [4]. All compounds have been completely characterized by H-
and 13C-NMR spectroscopy (see Experimental Section).
Scheme 2. Synthesis of tetrazole 4 and benzotriazole 1.
3
H3C
CH3
H3C
CH3
4
2
PCl5
6'
5'
3'
5
1'
1
toluene
4'
NH
C
O
C
N
6
Cl
2'
O2N
3
2
O2N
NaN3
DMF
3'
H3C
CH3
4'
2'
1'
N
4
5'
3
N
6'
5
3
4
7
6'
5'
reflux
2
N1
N
3a
7a
N
6''
5
nitrobenzene
1'
1''
N
CH3
5''
4''
4'
2
6
N
2''
3'
2'
1
NO2
H3C
3''
1
4
Molecular structure and geometry optimization
Suitable crystals of compounds 1 and 5 were obtained from ethanol and N,N’-dimethylformamide
solutions, respectively. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the molecular geometries of both compounds. They
crystallize in the orthorhombic system, P212121 space group for 1 and Pnma space group for 5, with Z=
4 in both cases; compound 5 contains a twofold axis and there is only a half molecule in the
asymmetric unit.
X-ray diffraction of 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1) shows that the molecule is non
planar, the twisting angle between the benzotriazole ring and the phenyl group being of 48.12(6)º.
Each independent moiety is almost planar: the best least-square planes of benzotriazole atoms and
phenyl atoms show a rms deviation of 0.0060 and 0.0023, with a maximum deviation of 0.007(2) for
C1 and 0.004(2) for C11, respectively.

Molecules 2007, 12
Figure 2. ORTEP view of 1 with ellipsoids at the 40% probability level.
2204
On the contrary, the crystals of 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) correspond to a planar molecule
(Figure 3), the twisting angle between the benzotriazole moiety and the phenyl group at the N2 being
of 1.1(2)º.
Figure 3. ORTEP view of 5 with ellipsoids at the 40% probability level.
Selected bond lengths, angles and hydrogen bond features for both derivatives have been collected
in Table 1. As expected the distances show the dienic character of the benzotriazole ring.
Table 1. Some selected X-ray parameters, including the hydrogen bonds, for 1 and 5.
1
5
Bond lengths (Å)
C1-N1
C1-N1
N1-N2
N2-N3
N3-C6
N2-C7
1.353(3)
1.339(2)
1.335(2)
1.358(3)
1.440(3)
1.348(3)
1.331(2)
1.331(2)
1.348(3)
1.432(4)
N1-N2
N2-N1´
N1’-C1’
N2-C7
C1-C6
C1-C2
1.409(3)
1.408(3)
1.385(3)
1.419(4)
1.355(3)
1.409(3)
0.95(4)
C1-C1´
C1-C2
1.395(5)
1.415(4)
1.361(4)
1.395(7)
1.361(4)
1.415(4)
0.99(3)
C2-C3
C2-C3
C3-C4
C3-C3´
C3´-C2´
C2´-C1´
C9-H9
C4-C5
C5-C6
C14-H142
C14…N1´´
N1…H142 ´´
3.679(4)
2.73(4)
C9···N1´´´
N1···H9´´´
3.452(4)
2.76(3)

Molecules 2007, 12
2205
Table. 1. Cont.
Angles (º)
N1-N2-C7
N1-N2-N3
N3-N2-C7
N2-N1-C1
N1-C1-C6
C1-C6-N3
C6-N3-N2
C2-C1-C6
C1-C2-C3
C3-C4-C5
C4-C5-C6
C5-C6-C1
C14-H142···N1´´
120.2(2)
117.2(2)
122.6(2)
102.5(2)
109.1(2)
108.4(2)
102.8(2)
120.9(2)
116.9(2)
122.4(2)
116.7(2)
121.2(2)
176(3)
N1-N2-C7
121.4(1)
117.3(3)
121.4(1)
102.4(2)
109.0(1)
109.0(1)
102.4(2)
121.3(2)
116.0(3)
122.7(2)
116.0(3)
121.3(2)
127(2)
N1-N2-N1´
N1´-N2-C7
N2-N1-C1
N1-C1-C1´
C1-C1´-N1´
C1´-N1´-N2
C2-C1-C1´
C1-C2-C3
C3-C3´-C2´
C3´-C2´-C1´
C2´-C1´-C1
C9-H9···N1´´´
(´) x,-y+1/2, z
(´´) –x+1, y+1/2, -z+1/2,
(´´´) -x+1/2, -y+1, z-1/2
The geometry for 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1) has been optimized at two different
levels with the Windows Titan 1.0.5 package [5]. The twisting angle between the benzotriazole moiety
and the 2,4-dimethylphenyl group (N1-N2-C7-C8) at the ab initio Hartree-Fock HF/6-31G** level is -
47.91º (energy -701.061 Hartree, μ= 0.76 D) and at the B3LYP/6-31G** DFT level is -35.52º (energy
-705.576 Hartree, μ= 0.96 D), the first result showing a better agreement with the experimental X-ray
data. In both cases the molecules present specific interactions with the surrounding molecules as
depicted in Figures 4a/b and 5, where the crystal packings are presented. Weak hydrogen bond
interactions, C14-H14ּּּ N1(-x+1,+y+1/2,-z+1/2) in 1 and C9-H9ּּּ N1(-x+1/2, -y+1, z-1/2) in 5, give
rise to independent zigzag chains parallel to the b axis. No π-π stacking interactions have been found
in any of them.
Figure 4a. View along the a axis showing the C14-H14ּּּ N1 interaction in 1.

Molecules 2007, 12
Figure 4b. View along the b axis showing the phenyl groups alignment in 1.
2206
Figure 5. View along the c axis showing the C9-H9ּּּ N1 interaction in 5.
NMR spectroscopy
Full assignment of the 1H-, 13C- and 15N-NMR signals for benzotriazole 1 was achieved by careful
analysis of the chemical shifts, coupling constants and bidimensional experiments. As a complete
search through the Chemical Abstracts database did not provide any references in which full 1H-, 13C-
and 15N-NMR assignments for 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) and Tinuvin® P were described, we also
undertook their study for structural comparison purposes (Figures 6 and 7).
Useful conclusions regarding the conformation of compound 1 can be derived from the proton
chemical shifts of the ortho protons, which appear at 7.59 ppm in CDCl3 (7.83 ppm if the effects of the
methyl groups are considered) [6]. As shown in Figure 6, when such a value is compared with that of
the ortho protons in the planar molecules Tinuvin® P (8.20 ppm or 8.57 ppm, if the effects of the
methyl and hydroxy groups are considered) or 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) (8.37 ppm in the same
solvent), it proves that 1 is sterically hindered [7].
The deshielded signal at 11.10 ppm of Tinuvin® P corresponds to a proton involved in an
intramolecular hydrogen bond (IMHB). However, it was noted that the signals of the benzotriazole
ring (H-4/H-7 and H-5/H-6) are magnetically equivalent. This is a first indication that the IMHB is in a
dynamic situation in solution allowing for a rapid rotation of the 2H-benzotriazole ring about the N-C
single bond.

Molecules 2007, 12
2207
Figure 6. 1H-NMR chemical shifts (δ in ppm) in CDCl3 of 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-
benzotriazole (1), 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) and Tinuvin® P.
7.96
7.94
7.59
7.17
7.20
7.93
7.56
8.37
N
N
N
N
2.42
CH3
7.44
7.44
7.42
7.42
7.46
N
N
7.56
8.37
7.96
7.94
H3C
2.38
11.10
5
1
H
O
7.09
N
N
7.47
7.47
N
7.15
8.20
7.93
CH3
2.40
Tinuvin® P
13C-NMR data in solution for 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5) appear in reference [8], but chemical
shifts and coupling constants were obtained in DMSO-d6 instead of CDCl3. To our knowledge no data
for Tinuvin® P have been described in the literature.
13
The extent of interannular conjugation in N-phenylazoles can also be studied by using C-NMR
spectroscopy [8,9]. In compound 1, both the 13C chemical shifts for the ortho-phenyl carbon δ C-2’ (or
δ C-6’) and the chemical shift difference between the ortho- and meta- carbons (Tables 2 and 3) reflect
that the bond is twisted and confirms the conformation of the system in qualitative terms. In the
unhindered molecules Tinuvin® P and 2-phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5), the difference between ortho-
and meta- carbons is around 9 ppm [9].
13
Table 2. C-NMR chemical shifts of 2H-benzotriazoles in CDCl3 with the methyl-and
hydroxy-induced chemical shifts correction on the C-ortho and C-meta atoms (CH3: Z1
9.2, Z2 0.7, Z3 -0.1, Z4 -3.0; OH: Z1 28.8, Z2 –12.8, Z3 1.4, Z4 –7.4 ) [6].
Comp.
δC-ortho
1
5
Tinuvin® P
125.8 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 126.0
132.9 – 9.2 + 0.1 = 123.8
147.5 –28.8 + 3.0 = 121.7
121.1 –1.4 –0.7 = 119.0
120.6
120.6
129.4
δC-ortho (average)
δC-meta
124.9
120.3
127.2 + 3.0 – 0.7 = 129.5
132.3 – 0.7 – 0.7 = 130.9
118.7 +12.8 + 0.1 = 131.6
129.6 +7.4 – 9.2 = 127.8
δC-meta (average)
130.2
5.3
124.9
8.8
129.7
9.4
δC-meta-δC-ortho
Degree
of Interannular
Conjugation
Hindered
Extensive
Extensive

Molecules 2007, 12
2208
13
15
Figure 7. C-NMR (blue) and N-NMR (red) chemical shifts (δ in ppm) in CDCl3 and
in the solid state of 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1), 2-phenyl-2H-benzo-
triazole (5) and Tinuvin® P.
a) In CDCl3
-62.4
N
-72.1
N
118.4
118.3
120.6 129.4
140.4
125.8
138.0
127.2
144.7
144.7
145.0
21.1
CH3
126.7
126.7
127.1
127.1
128.9
N
N
-109.2
139.6
-109.5
N
N
132.9
145.0
120.6 129.4
132.3
118.3
118.4
-62.4
-72.1
H3C
18.7
5
1
H
O
-80.1
117.6
118.7
142.8
147.5
124.8
N
127.6
127.6
N
131.2
-110.1
121.1
N
142.8
-80.1
117.6
129.6
CH3
20.5
Tinuvin® P
b) Solid State
119.2a
n.d.
N
-61.3
117.4
118.7 128.3-129.2
140.4
125.0
126.4
143.5
143.5 N
125.0b
125.9
125.9
22.3
CH3
138.7
137.2
127.1-127.9
N
N
126.4b
-107.3
n.d.
N
N
n.d.
143.5
114.8a
132.5
143.5
131.1
118.7
128.3-129.2
-61.3
117.4
118.4
H3C
19.7
5
1
H
O
-89.3
117.1
142.2
147.5
124.7
N
129.1c
126.7c
N
131.3
-107.3
120.8
N
142.2
a,b,c The assignment of these
signals can be exchanged
128.0
117.1
-69.7
CH3
19.7
n.d.= not detected
Tinuvin® P
As seen in the data shown in Figure 7, no significant changes in the 13C-NMR chemical shifts were
observed on going from solution to the solid state, meaning that in the three derivatives the solid state
conformation is very similar to the one in solution.
Finally the 15N-NMR chemical shift of N-2 in compounds 1, 5 and Tinuvin® P ranged from –107.3
ppm in the solid state to a mean value of –109.6 ppm in solution (between –109.2 to –110.1 ppm),
typical of a pyrrole-like nitrogen atom [10], which is not sensitive to the torsional angle between the
two aromatic moieties.

Molecules 2007, 12
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13
Table 3. C-NMR chemical shifts of 2H-benzotriazoles in solid state with the methyl-
and hydroxy-induced chemical shifts correction on the C-ortho and C-meta atoms (CH3:
Z1 9.2, Z2 0.7, Z3 -0.1, Z4 -3.0; OH: Z1 28.8, Z2 –12.8, Z3 1.4, Z4 –7.4 ) [6].
Comp.
δC-ortho
1
5
Tinuvin® P
125.0 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 125.2
132.5 – 9.2 + 0.1 = 123.4
147.5 –28.8 + 3.0 = 121.7
120.8 –1.4 –0.7 = 118.7
118.7
118.7
128.7
δC-ortho (average)
δC-meta
124.3
120.2
126.4 + 3.0 – 0.7 = 128.7
131.1 – 0.7 – 0.7 = 129.7
118.4 +12.8 + 0.1 = 131.3
128.0 +7.4 – 9.2 = 126.2
δC-meta (average)
129.2
4.9
128.7
10.0
128.7
8.5
δC-meta-δC-ortho
Degree
of Interannular
Conjugation
Hindered
Extensive
Extensive
In solution the pyridine-like nitrogen atoms N-1 and N-3 show a unique chemical shift for the three
derivatives, –62.4 ppm in 1, –72.1 ppm in 5 and –80.1 ppm in Tinuvin® P (Figure 8).
Figure 9. Solid state 15N-CPMAS-NMR
spectra of compounds 1 and Tinuvin® P.
Figure 8. 15N-NMR spectra of compounds
1, 5 and Tinuvin® P in CDCl3.
2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1)
2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1)
N-1/N-3
N-1/N-3
N-2
N-2
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100
-110
-120
-130
2-Phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5)
N-1/N-3
0
-40
-80
-120
-160
-200
N-2
2-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole
(Tinuvin® P)
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100
-110
-120
-130
N-3
2-(2-Hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole
(Tinuvin® P)
N-2
N-1
N-1/N-3
N-2
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
(ppm)
-100
-110
-120
-130
0
-40
-80
(ppm)
-120
-160
-200

Molecules 2007, 12
2210
The nitrogen chemical shift difference of 9.7 ppm between 1 (twisted, dihedral angle 48.12º) and 5
(planar, dihedral angle 0.1(2)º) results from their different conformations. The fact that the signals of
N-1 and N-3 appear both at –80.1 ppm in Tinuvin® P proves that in solution there is a rapid rotation
about the N-C single bond although an IMHB is present. This is confirmed by the spectrum of
Tinuvin® P in the solid state (Figure 9), where two signals are observed, one at –69.7 ppm (N-1), and
the other at –89.3 ppm (N-3), more intense because of the IMHB and the proximity of an H atom in the
Cross Polarization (CP) experiments. The average of these signals is –79.5 ppm, close to the value in
solution (–80.1 ppm). No signals for the nitrogen atoms of compound 5 in solid state could be detected
using the same experimental acquisition conditions.
Conclusions
Solution and solid state multinuclear NMR studies, in combination with X-ray diffraction analysis,
have proven to be a valuable tool to establish the molecular conformation of 2-aryl-2H-benzotriazole
systems related to Tinuvin® P. The twisted 2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole molecule (1) is a
very promising candidate for photophysics and photochemistry studies, affording new insights to
understand the deactivation processes that confer photostability.
Experimental Section
General
Tinuvin® P was supplied by Ciba-Geigy and recrystallized from heptane. 2-Phenyl-2H-benzo-
triazole (5) was prepared as described in the literature [3]. Melting points were determined with a
ThermoGalen hot stage microscope and are given uncorrected. Elemental analyses for carbon,
hydrogen and nitrogen were performed by the Microanalytical Service of the Universidad
Complutense of Madrid, using a Perkin-Elmer 240 analyzer. Column chromatography was conducted
on silica gel (Merck 60, 70-230 mesh). Rf values were measured on aluminum-backed TLC plates of
silica gel 60 F254 (Merck, 0.2 mm) with the indicated eluent.
NMR Spectroscopy
Solution. NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker DRX 400 spectrometer (9.4 Tesla, operating at
1
13
15
400.13 MHz for H, 100.62 MHz for C and 40.56 MHz for N, respectively) with a 5-mm inverse-
detection H-X probe equipped with a z-gradient coil, at 300 K. Chemical shifts (δ, in ppm) are given
1
13
1
from internal solvent CDCl3 (7.26 for H and 77.0 for C) and DMSO-d6 (2.49 for H and 39.5 for
13C), and for N, nitromethane (0.00) was used as external reference. 2D gs-COSY (1H-1H) and 2D
15
inverse proton detected heteronuclear shift correlation spectra [gs-HMQC (1H-13C), gs-HMBC (1H-
13C) and gs-HMBC (1H-15N)] were acquired and processed using standard Bruker NMR software and
15
in non-phase-sensitive mode [11]. 1D N-NMR was acquired with inverse gated decoupling.

Molecules 2007, 12
2211
Solid state. 13C (100.73 MHz) and 15N (40.60 MHz) CPMAS NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker
WB 400 spectrometer at 300 K using a 4 mm DVT probehead. Samples were carefully packed in a 4-
mm diameter cylindrical zirconia rotor with Kel-F end-caps. Operating conditions involved 3.2 µs 90°
13
1H pulses and decoupling field strength of 78.1 kHz by TPPM sequence. C spectra were originally
referenced to a glycine sample and then the chemical shifts were recalculated to the Me4Si (for the
carbonyl atom δ (glycine) = 176.1 ppm) and 15N spectra to 15NH4Cl and then converted to
15
nitromethane scale using the relationship: δ 15N(nitromethane) = δ N(ammonium chloride) – 338.1
ppm. The typical acquisition parameters for 13C-CPMAS were: spectral width, 40 kHz; recycle delay,
25 s for 1, 70 s for 5 and 60 s for Tinuvin® P; acquisition time, 30 ms; contact time, 2 ms; and spin
rate, 12 kHz. In order to distinguish protonated and unprotonated carbon atoms, the NQS (Non-
Quaternary Suppression) experiment by conventional cross-polarization was recorded; before the
15
acquisition the decoupler is switched off for a very short time of 25 μs. For N-CPMAS they were:
spectral width, 40 kHz; recycle delay, 25 s for 1, 70 s for 5 and 60 s for Tinuvin® P; acquisition time,
35 ms; contact time, 9 ms; and spin rate, 6 kHz.
2-Phenyl-2H-benzotriazole (5)
1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 8.37 (m, 2H, H-2’, H-6’), 7.94 (m, 2H, H-4, H-7, 3J4,5= 8.7, 5J4,7 = 0.9),
7.56 (m, 2H, H-3’, H-5’), 7.46 (m, 1H, H-4’), 7.42 (m, 2H, H-5, H-6, 3J5,6= 6.7, 4J5,7 = 1.0); 13C-NMR
3
3
2
1
(CDCl3): δ (ppm) 145.0 (C-3a, C-7a, J = J = 9.4, J = 4.1), 140.4 (C-1’), 129.4 (C-3’, C-5’, J =
3
1
3
3
1
3
2
162.5, JH5’ = 8.2), 128.9 (C-4’, J = 162.4, J = J = 7.7), 127.1 (C-5, C-6, J = 160.8, J = 8.2, J =
1.8), 120.6 (C-2’, C-6’, 1J = 166.0), 118.4 (C-4, C-7, 1J = 165.4).
Tinuvin® P
1
4
4
H-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 11.10 (broad s, 1H, OH), 8.20 (dddddd, 1H, H-6’, J6’,4’= 2.1, J6’,Me
=
5J6’,3’= J6’,OH= 0.5), 7.93 (m, 2H, H-4, H-7, J4,5= 8.7, J4,7 = 1.0), 7.47 (m, 2H, H-5, H-6, J5,6= 6.8,
4J5,7 = 1.0), 7.15 (dddddd, 1H, H-4’, J4’,3’ = 8.4, J4’,Me = J4’,OH= 0.5), 7.09 (broad d, 1H, H-3’), 2.40
5
3
5
3
3
4
4
13
3
3
2
(broad s, 3H, CH3); C-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 147.5 (C-2’), 142.8 (C-3a, C-7a, J = J = 9.2, J =
1
3
3
3
2
4.6), 131.2 (C-4’, J = 159.5, JH6’ = 7.7, JMe = 4.6), 129.6 (C-5’, JH2’ = 6.5, JMe = 6.5), 127.6 (C-5,
C-6, 1J = 161.8, 3J = 8.4), 124.8 (C-1’), 121.1 (C-6’, 1J = 162.6, 3JH4’ = 6.1, 3JMe = 6.1), 118.7 (C-3’, 1J
= 161.5, 3JOH = 7.7), 117.6 (C-4, C-7, 1J = 167.2), 20.5 (CH3, 1J = 127.3, 3J = 4.6).
Synthesis
2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzamide (2). 2,4-Dimethylbenzoyl chloride (2.86 g, 17.01 mmol) was
added to o-nitroaniline (2.35 g, 17.01 mmol) in pyridine (14 mL). After 1 h at room temperature water
was added and the precipitate filtered off, washed with water and dried in a vacuum oven to obtain 4.1
1
g (89%) of 2. M.p. 122–123 °C (crystallized from ethanol). H-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 10.76 (s, 1H,
3
4
3
4
NH), 8.97 (dd, 1H, H-3’, J3’,4’= 8.5, J3’,5’ = 1.5), 8.26 (dd, 1H, H-6’, J6’,5’= 8.5, J6’,4’ = 1.5). 7.70
(ddd, 1H, H-4’, 3J4’,5’= 7.3), 7.53 (m, 1H, H-6), 7.21 (ddd, 1H, H-5’), 7.10-7.14 (broad m, 2H, H-3, H-
4), 2.54 (s, 3H, CH3-2), 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3-4); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 168.2 (CO), 141.5 (C-4),

Molecules 2007, 12
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137.6 (C-2), 136.5 (C-1’), 136.0 (C-4′), 135.3 (C-2′), 132.6 (C-3), 132.4 (C-1), 127.1 (C-6), 126.9 (C-
5), 125.8 (C-6′), 123.2 (C-5′), 122.1 (C-3′), 21.3 (CH3-4), 20.3 (CH3-2′); 15N-NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) –
255.9 (NH, 1JNH = 90.0 Hz).
5-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)tetrazole (4). A mixture of 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)-
benzamide (2, 1.70 g, 6.29 mmol) and phosphorus pentachloride (1.31 g, 6.29 mmol) in toluene (20
mL) was heated under reflux for 1 h, after which the hot solution was filtered and the solvent removed
under reduced pressure. The resulting 2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-nitrophenyl)benzimidoyl chloride (3) oil was
dissolved in dry DMF (20 mL) and added dropwise to a vigorously stirred mixture of sodium azide
(0.82 g, 12.58 mmol) and dry DMF (10 mL) over a period of 45 min, the temperature being kept below
25 ºC throughout. The suspension thus obtained was heated at 80 ºC for 1 h and then cooled. Next,
enough water to dissolve any inorganic salts present and then cause turbidity was added and the
mixture stored refrigerated at 5 ºC for one day. The crystals thus formed were filtered off and washed
1
with water to obtain 1.37 g (74%) of 4. M.p. 111–112 °C (crystallized from ethanol:water); H-NMR
(DMSO-d6): δ (ppm) 8.22 (dd, 1H, H-3′′, J3′′,4′′ = 8.2, J3′′,5′′ = 1.2), 7.97 (ddd, 1H, H-5′′, J5′′,6′′ = 7.3, J5′′,4′′
= 6.9), 7.94 (dd, 1H, H-6′′, J4′′,6′′ = 2.1), 7.87 (ddd, 1H, H-4′′), 7.20 (s, 1H, H-3′), 7.05 (d, 1H, H-6′, J6′,5′
= 7.9), 6.98 (d, 1H, H-5′), 2.26 (s, 3H, CH3-4′), 2.24 (s, 3H, CH3-2′); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ (ppm)
154.3 (C-5), 143.8 (C-2′′), 141.3 (C-4′), 137.9 (C-2′), 135.3 (C-5′′), 132.7 (C-4′′), 131.7 (C-3′), 129.9
(C-6′′), 129.7 (C-6′), 126.7 (C-5′), 126.3 (C-1′′), 126.2 (C-3′′), 118.6 (C-1′), 20.8 (CH3-4′), 19.2 (CH3-
2′).
2-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole (1). 5-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-1-(2-nitrophenyl)tetrazole (4,
1.25 g, 4.23 mmol) and freshly distilled nitrobenzene (5.5 mL) were heated together under vigorous
reflux for 1 h. After the reaction mixture was cooled, the nitrobenzene was removed by vacuum
distillation and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel Rf = 0.27 (chloroform/hexane
6:4). Compound 1 was obtained in 80% yield (0.75 g); M.p. 72-73 °C (crystallized from ethanol);
1
Anal. Calcd for C14H13N3: C, 75.31; H, 5.87; N, 18.82%. Found: C, 75.35; H, 5.95; N, 18.73%; H-
3
5
3
NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 7.96 (m, 2H, H-4, H7, J4,5= 8.7, J4,7 = 0.9), 7.59 (d, 1H, H-6’, J6’,5’ = 8.1),
7.44 (m, 2H, H-5, H-6, 3J5,6= 6.8, 4J5,7 = 1.0), 7.20 (broad s, 1H, H-3’), 7.17 (broad d, 1H, H-5′), 2.42
(s, 3H, CH3-4′), 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3-2′); 13C- NMR (CDCl3): δ (ppm) 144.7 (C-3a, C-7a, 3J = 3J = 9.2, 2J
3
3
1
3
= 4.6), 139.6 (C-4’, J = 6.1, JMe = 6.1), 138.0 (C-1’), 132.9 (C-2’), 132.3 (C-3’, J = 158.0, JH5’
=
6.1, 3JMe = 4.6), 127.2 (C-5’, 1J = 161.0, 3JH3’ = 7.6, 3JMe = 4.6), 126.7 (C-5, C-6, 1J = 160.2, 3J = 8.4),
125.8 (C-6’, 1J = 162.5), 118.3 (C-4, C-7, 1J = 164.1), 21.1 (CH3-4′, 1J = 127.3, 3J = 4.6), 18.7 (CH3-2′,
1J = 128.8, 3J = 4.6).
X-Ray data collection and structure refinement
A summary of the fundamental crystal and refinement data for compounds 1 and 5 is given in
Table 4. Colorless prismatic crystals were successfully grown from ethanol and N,N’-dimethyl-
formamide and used to collect data on a Bruker Smart CCD diffractometer using graphite-
monochromated Mo-Kα radiation (λ = 0.71073 Å) operating at 50 Kv and 20 mA. The data were
collected over a hemisphere of the reciprocal space by combination of three exposure sets, each

Molecules 2007, 12
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exposure was of 20 s covered 0.3° in ω. The cell parameters were determined and refined by a least-
squares fit of all reflections collected. The first 100 frames were recollected at the end of the data
collection to monitor crystal decay after X-ray exposition and no important variation was observed.
The structure was solved by direct methods and difference Fourier techniques and refined by full-
matrix least-squares on F2 (SHELXL-97) [12].
Table 4. Crystal data and structure refinement for 1 and 5.
Crystal Data
1
5
Identification code
651191
659842
Empirical formula
Formula weight
Wavelength (Å)
Crystal system
C14 H13 N3
223.27
C12H9N3
195.22
0.71073
0.71073
Orthorhombic
Pnma
Orthorhombic
P212121
Space group
Unit cell dimensions
a (Å)
b (Å)
c (Å)
3.946(2)
11.586(7)
25.44(1)
1163(1)
15.655(2)
11.433(2)
5.551(1)
993.6(3)
4
Volume (Å3)
Z
4
Density (calculated) (Mg/m3)
Absorption coefficient (mm-1)
F(000)
1.275
1.305
0.078
0.081
472
408
Scan technique
phi and omega
1.60 to 27.00
-4<=h<=4,
-14<=k<=12,
-32<=l<=32
10351
phi and omega
2.60 to 26.00
-19<=h<=17,
-14<=k<=14,
-6<=l<=6
7629
Theta range (°) for data collection
Index ranges
Reflections collected
Independent reflections
2501
1028
[R(int) = 0.0862]
99.4 %
[R(int) = 0.0741]
100%
Completeness to theta max.
Data / restraints / parameters
2501 / 0 / 194
0.938
1028 / 0 / 88
1.079
2
Goodness-of-fit on F
Final R* indices [F2>2sigma(F2)]
0.0420
0.0457
(1448 reflns. observed)
0.1024
(569 reflns. observed)
0.1573
wR** (F2) (all data)
–3
Largest diff. peak and hole (e.Å
)
0.133 and -0.133
0.136 and 0.207
(*) ∑||Fo|-|Fc||/∑|Fo|
(**) ⎨∑[w(Fo -Fc2)2]/∑[w(Fo ) ]⎬1/2
2
2 2
In both cases, anisotropic thermal parameters were used in the last cycles of refinement for all non-
hydrogen atoms. The positions of the hydrogen atoms were found in difference density maps and
freely refined with a common isotropic displacement parameter. Crystallographic data are deposited
with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center (CCDC-651191 and CCDC-659842). These data can

Molecules 2007, 12
2214
be obtained free of charge from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre via
www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/data_request/cif.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are given to MEC of Spain for financial support (project number CTQ2006-02586).
References
1
Catalán, J.; Pérez, P.; Fabero, F.; Wilshire, J. F. K.; Claramunt, R. M. Elguero, J. Photophysical
properties of some 2-(2’-hydroxyaryl)benzotriazoles: dramatic effect of an ortho-located bulky
tert-butyl group. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 964-966.
2
3
Catalán, J.; de Paz, J. L. G.; Torres, M. R.; Tornero, J. D. Molecular structure of a unique UV
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1479.
4
Vickers, S.; Triggle, D. J.; Garrison, D. R. The preparation and diazotisation of some o- and p-
aminophenyl benzoates and benzamides. J. Chem. Soc. C 1968, 632-634.
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5
6
Pretsch, E.; Bühlmann, P.; Affolter, C. Structure Determination of Organic Compounds: Tables of
Spectral Data; Springer: New York, 2000.
7
8
9
Catalán, J.; Fabero F.; Claramunt, R. M.; Santa María M. D.; Foces-Foces, C.; Cano, F. H.;
Martínez-Ripoll, M.; Elguero, J.; Sastre, R. New ultraviolet stabilizers: 3- and 5-(2´-hydroxy-
phenyl)pyrazoles. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 5039-5048.
Begtrup, M.; Elguero, J.; Faure, R.; Camps, P.; Estopa, C.; Ilavsky, D.; Fruchier, A.; Marzin, C.;
de Mendoza, J. Effects of N-substituents on the 13C NMR parameters of azoles. Magn. Reson.
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13
Begtrup, M. C NMR spectra of phenyl-substituted azoles: a conformational study. Acta Chem.
Scand. 1973, 27, 3101-3110.
10 Claramunt, R. M.; Sanz, D.; López, C.; Jiménez, J. A.; Jimeno, M. L.; Elguero, J.; Fruchier, A.
Susbtituent effects on the 15N NMR parameters of azoles. Magn. Reson. Chem. 1997, 35, 35-75.
11 Berger, S.; Braun S. 200 and More NMR Experiments. Wiley-VCH: Weinheim, 2004.
12 Sheldrick, G. M. SHELX97, Programs for Crystal Structure Analysis, release 97-2; University of
Göttingen: Göttingen, Germany, 1998.
Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds 1 and 5 are available from the authors.
© 2007 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction is permitted for noncommercial purposes.