NMR detection of isomers arising from restricted rotation of the C-N amide bond of N-formyl-o-toluidine and N,N′-bis-formyl-o-tolidine

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/70800662

Full and unambiguous assignment of all ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR resonances of the isomers due to restricted C-N amide bond rotation of N-formyl-o-toluidine and N,N′-bis-formyl-o-tolidine in DMSO-d₆ is reported. The cis-isomer predominates in the equilibrium mixture of both compounds as 1D-NOE difference experiments show.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/70800662

Molecules 2002, 7, 662-673
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
http://www.mdpi.org
NMR Detection of Isomers Arising from Restricted Rotation of
the C-N Amide Bond of N-Formyl-o-toluidine and N,N’-bis-
Formyl-o-tolidine†
Ramiro Quintanilla-Licea1*, Juan F. Colunga-Valladares2, Adolfo Caballero-Quintero3, Cristina
Rodríguez-Padilla1, Reyes Tamez-Guerra1, Ricardo Gómez-Flores1 and Noemí Waksman3
1
2
3
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas and Facultad de Medicina,
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Pedro de Alba s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los
Garza, Nuevo León, México.
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; e-mail: rquintanillalicea@prodigy.net.mx
Tel. (+52) 81 83579479; Fax (+52) 81 83575433
†
Dedicated to Professor Lutz F. Tietze on the occasion of his 60th birthday
Received: 19 April 2002; in revised form: 28 July 2002/ Accepted: 13 August 2002 / Published:
31 August 2002
1
13
Abstract: Full and unambiguous assignment of all H- and C-NMR resonances of the
isomers due to restricted C-N amide bond rotation of N-formyl-o-toluidine and N,N’-bis-
formyl-o-tolidine in DMSO-d6 is reported. The cis-isomer predominates in the
equilibrium mixture of both compounds as 1D-NOE difference experiments show.
Keywords: Amide bond, restricted rotation, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, NOE
Introduction
The Madelung indole synthesis is a method for producing these heterocycles via a base-catalyzed
thermal cyclization of N-acyl-o-toluidides [1,2]. At the same time, it is one of the few known reactions
by which an unsubstitued indole nucleus can be obtained [3-5]. Consequently, we decided to use this

Molecules 2002, 7
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reaction in order to obtain 5,5´-biindole as a starting material for the synthesis of indoloquinolizines
with potential antitumor activity [6]. For our investigation we needed to synthesize N-formyl-o-
toluidine (2), starting from o-toluidine (1), as well as N,N’-bis-formyl-o-tolidine (5), starting from
o-tolidine (4), in order to transform them into indole (3) and to 5,5´-biindole (6), respectively (Scheme
1).
Scheme 1
CH
3
CH
3
O
NH
2
N C
H H
N
H
1
2
3
H C
3
CH
H C
3
3
CH
3
O
O
H N
2
NH
C N
N C
H H
2
4
5
H
H
N
H
N
H
6
During the spectroscopic characterization of the amides 2 and 5 we noted the presence of two
isomers in solution (DMSO-d6), observing double signals for the protons of the amine group and of the
1
formyl group in the H-NMR spectra, as well as double signals for all carbons of both compounds in
13
the C-NMR spectra. The ratio of the isomers, as deduced from the integration of the formyl proton
signals, is approximately 3:1 in both compounds (Figures 1-2). It is known that in a few cases single
bond rotation is so slow that cis and trans isomers can be isolated even where no double bond exists
[7], e.g. in thioamides [8, 9] and in certain amides [10-16], because resonance gives the single bond
some double bond character and slows rotation [17].

Molecules 2002, 7
Figure 1. Aromatic part of the 1H-NMR spectrum of 2 (in DMSO-d6 solution)
664
Figure 2. Aromatic part of the 1H-NMR spectrum of 5 (in DMSO-d6 solution)

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665
Scheme 2
H
CH
3
δ = 2.94 (cis )
H
CH
3
C N
C N
CH
δ = 2.79 (trans)
3
CH
3
O
O
7
For example, in dimethylformamide (7, Scheme 2) the two methyl groups are non-equivalent due to
1
the mentioned hindered rotation about the C-N bond. In the corresponding H-NMR spectrum two
methyl signals are found at δ = 2.79 and 2.94, together with a singlet at δ = 8.0 for the formyl proton.
If one saturates the methyl signal at δ = 2.94, the intensity of the formyl proton signal increases by 18
%. When instead the other methyl signal is saturated, a decrease of 2 % is observed [18a]. In DMF the
NOE experiments led to a correct assignment of the methyl signals. Since the signal of the isolated
formyl proton is only enhanced when a particular one of the two methyl signals is saturated (the
downfield one), this must correspond to the cis methyl group (trans to carbonyl group). Likewise, two
13
signals for the methyl carbons are observed in the spectrum of C-NMR, at δ = 30 and 36, whereby
the downfield signal corresponds to the methyl group, trans to the carbonyl group [19a].
Scheme 3
H
H
O
(
cis
)
H
H
δ = 7.48
δ = 7.21
H
H
C
N
C
N
(
)
trans
O
8
In the case of formamide (8, Scheme 3) the two protons on the nitrogen atom are also non-
14
equivalent [19b]. Irradiating in the absorption frequency of N, 3 quartets centered at δ = 8.21, 7.48
1
and 7.21 are observed in the H-NMR spectrum [20a, 21]. The downfield signal corresponds to the
formyl proton, which presents two couplings of J = 2.18 and 13.49 Hz. These couplings correspond to
those we expected for the cis N-H (δ = 7.48, J = 2.18 and 2.60 Hz) with the formyl proton as well as
for the trans N-H (δ = 7.21, J = 2.6 and 13.49 Hz) with the formyl proton. Thus, the two protons on the
nitrogen atom show a geminal coupling constant J = 2.6 Hz.
It is interesting to observe that the coupling constant of the cis protons in formamide is of smaller
magnitude (2.18 Hz) compared to that of the trans protons (13.49 Hz), similar to what is seen in a
typical double bond C=C [18b].
Based on the reasoning described, it is expected that for monosubstituted formamides, as is the
case of the amides 2 and 5, cis and trans isomers are present in solution which can be detected by way
of NMR techniques. Thus, the purpose of our investigation was to assign in detail the configurations of

Molecules 2002, 7
666
the isomers observed in DMSO-d6 solutions of N-formyl-o-toluidine (2) and N,N’-bis-formyl-o-
1
tolidine (5), by analyzing the spectra of H- and 13C-NMR, by running additional NOE experiments
and using bidimensional spectra (COSY, HMQC, HMBC) for the full assignment of the signals.
Results and Discussion
The preferred conformation solution of N-formyl-o-toluidine (2) in DMSO-d6 is the cis one, based
1
on the fact that the H-NMR signals for the N-H and the formyl proton of the major isomer present
appear as singlets at δ = 9.84 and 8.57 respectively, i.e. with a coupling constant J≈ 0, whereas the
signals corresponding to the minor isomer are present as doublets at δ = 10.01 and 8.66 respectively,
showing a coupling constant J ≈ 10.63 Hz, i.e. in the latter isomer a coupling constant of greater
magnitude is observed, which is in accordance with the observation made for formamide (minor
coupling constant for the cis NH-CH protons and major coupling constant for the corresponding trans
protons) [20a, 21].
Scheme 4
CH
3
CH
3
6
3
2
1
4
5
O
H
DMSO-d6
N C
H H
N C
H
(25 ° C)
O
J
H,H ≈ 0
J
H,H ≈ 10.63 Hz.
2-trans (I)
2- cis (I)
The aforementioned observation is congruent with the one made in a series of N-monoalkyl
substituted formamides 9 (Scheme 5) in which in their NMR spectra (mainly 13C) the cis isomer
predominates up to 80% over the trans isomer [20b].
Scheme 5
H
R
H
H
H
R
C N
C N
O
O
9
R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl

Molecules 2002, 7
667
In the case of the N-methyl, N-ethyl- and N-tert-butylformamide signals for the formyl protons of
the cis isomer (d, J = 0.3-2 Hz) as well as of trans isomer (d, J = 12 Hz) could be clearly observed in
the 1H-NMR spectra (CDCl3) which coincides again with the observation made for formamide. When
analyzing the 13C-NMR spectra of these ten monoalkylamides it can be seen that the signals of the
carbonyl carbon and those of the first two carbons of the alkyl substituent of the trans isomer always
appear downfield compared to the corresponding signals of the cis isomer. Additional information
about the configuration of the isomers of 2 (and also of 5) can be obtained with help of NOE
experiments. Figures 3-4 show the NOE experiments, in which the N-H signals of both isomers of 2
and 5 are saturated.
Figure 3. NOE Experiment on 2.
In the signals of the formyl protons we observe an increase by approx. 11% for the singlet at δ =
8.57 and by 8 % for the doublet at δ = 8.66, which indicates precisely that the signals of N-H and the
formyl proton of the isomer in a greater porportion represent protons closer to each other and therefore
correspond to the cis isomer. Additional analysis of the 1H-NMR spectra allows one to distinguish for
cis-2 a doublet at δ = 8.0 (J = 7.88 Hz) for the proton in position 6 and a triplet at δ = 7.29 (J = 7.34
Hz) for the proton in position 4. The two remaining aromatic protons of cis-2 as well as all the
aromatic protons of trans-2 appear as a multiplet in the 7.40 to 7.35 ppm region.
The signal of the aromatic protons of 2 are found at lower field compared to those observed for
o-toluidine (δ = 6.59-7.01, CDCl3, 400 MHz) [20c]. This is due to the inductive effect (-I) of the amido
group, which withdraws charge from the aromatic ring, in opposition to the amine group, which in the
o-toluidine introduces charge into the aromatic ring by means of resonance.

Molecules 2002, 7
668
Figure 4. NOE Experiment on 5.
The effects of the substituents in the aromatic rings become normally apparent in the order o>p>m
and therefore it is expected that the proton in the o-position to the amido group in 2 (position 6) is at
lower field compared to the remaining aromatic protons. In fact, in cis-2, this proton, 6-H, indeed
appears at lower field compared to the others (δ = 8.00), however, it is strange that the corresponding
proton in trans-2 is present at a higher field, in the multiplet at δ = 7.40-7.35. The foregoing
observation can be explained, if we assume that the isomers of 2 are really present in the
conformations (II) indicated below (Scheme 6):
In these conformations (II) a steric hindrance between the formyl group and the methyl group of
position 2 is avoided. However, a certain steric interaction between 6-H and the carbonyl group in cis-
2 (and which is not present in trans-2) can be the cause for the additional downfield displacement of
this proton.
Scheme 6
CH
CH
3
3
3
6
2
1
4
5
H
H
N
C
N
C
H
H
O
H
H
O
2-cis (II)
2- trans (II)

Molecules 2002, 7
669
The presence of the conformations II of 2 seems to be confirmed by the NOE experiment shown in
Figure 3. When irradiating in the signals of the N-H of the two isomers of 2 an increase in intensity of
the signals of the methyl groups is observed, which confirms a spacial proximity of the protons under
13
discussion. In the C-NMR spectrum it is possible to differentiate perfectly the signals of all carbons
of both isomers of 2. In accordance with the expectations, the signals of the isomer in lower proportion
(trans-2) are present at lower field compared to those corresponding to the isomer in higher proportion
(cis-2).
The definite assignment of the chemical shifts of protons and carbons of both isomers of 2 can be
achieved by taking into account the bidimensional experiments H,H-COSY, HMQC, HMBC as well as
DEPT 135. These assignments are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1. 1H(400 MHz) and 13C NMR (100MHz) Spectral Data for cis-2 in DMSO-d6
COSY 1H-1H bHMQC bHMBC (12Hz)
Position
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
aDEPT 135
correlations
NH, 6-H
Formyl-H
--------
1J CH
3J CH
H-C=O
NH
8.57, s
9.84, s
--------
160.18
NH
(+) CH
NH
Formyl-H --------
--------
--------
--------
1
135.73
(0) Cq
Formyl-H
3-H
5-H
2
--------
129.60
(0) Cq
--------
--------
4-H
6-H
2-CH3
2.47, s
17.96
130.62
124.98
126.33
123.14
(+) CH3
(+) CH
(+) CH
(+) CH
(+) CH
3-H
CH3
3-H
4-H
5-H
6-H
3
4
5
6
(7.45-7.33), m
7.30, t, 7.34
(7.45-7.33), m
8.00, d, 7.88
4-H
5-H
6-H
3-H
4-H
3-H
6-H
5-H,
Formyl-H
a) DEPT shows CH, CH2, CH3, Cq
b) Correlation from C to the indicated hydrogens
Table 2. 1H(400 MHz) and 13C-NMR (100MHz) Spectral Data for trans-2 in DMSO-d6
aDEPT COSY 1H-1H
Position
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
135
correlations
H-C=O
8.66, d, 10.63
10.01, d, 10.63
--------
163.95 (+) CH NH
NH
1
NH
NH
Formyl-H
--------
136.03
129.60
(0) Cq
(0) Cq
2
--------
--------

Molecules 2002, 7
Position
670
aDEPT COSY 1H-1H
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
135
correlations
--------
2-CH3
2.49, s
17.82
131.02
125.63
126.99
122.09
(+) CH3
(+) CH
(+) CH
(+) CH
(+) CH
--------
--------
--------
--------
3
4
5
6
(7.45-7.33), m
(7.45-7.33), m
(7.45-7.33), m
(7.45-7.33), m
a) DEPT shows CH, CH2, CH3, Cq
b) Correlation from C to the indicated hydrogens
In a similar way we found that in a solution of N,N’-bis-formyl-o-tolidine in DMSO-d6 the isomer
with the cis/cis conformation (Scheme 7) predominates as NOE experiments are showing (see above,
Figure 4).
Scheme 7
H C
3
H C
3
CH
CH
3
3
H
H
O
H
H
O
N
C
N
C
N
C
N
C
H
H
H
O
H
O
5-cis/cis
5-trans/trans
The assignment of the chemical shifts of protons and carbons of the two isomers of 5 are shown in
Tables 3 and 4 (due to the symmetry of 5, we refer only to positions 1 to 6, like 2).
Table 3. 1H(400 MHz) and 13C NMR (100MHz) Spectral Data for 5-cis in DMSO-d6
COSY 1H-1H bHMQC bHMBC (12Hz)
Position
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
aDEPT 135
correlations
NH
1J CH
Formyl-H
--------
3J CH
H-C=O
NH
8.31, s
9.62, s
--------
159.84
NH
(+) CH
NH
NH
Formyl-H
--------
--------
Formyl-H
3-H, 5-H
6-H
1
134.87
(0) Cq
--------
2
--------
2.29, s
129.40
17.93
(0) Cq
--------
3-H
--------
CH3
2-CH3
(+) CH3
3-H

Molecules 2002, 7
671
COSY 1H-1H bHMQC bHMBC (12Hz)
Position
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
aDEPT 135
correlations
2-CH3
--------
6-H
1J CH
3-H
--------
5-H
6-H
3J CH
3
4
5
6
7.52, s
128.22
135.69
124.00
122.86
(+) CH
(0) Cq
5-H
--------
6-H
3-H
NH
7.45, d, 8.06
7.85, d, 8.30
(+) CH
(+) CH
5-H
a) DEPT shows CH, CH2, CH3, Cq
b) Correlation from C to the indicated hydrogens
Table 4. 1H(400 MHz) and 13C NMR (100MHz) Spectral Data for 5-trans in DMSO-d6
COSY 1H-1H bHMBC (12Hz)
Position
δH , mult., J in Hz
δC
aDEPT 135
correlations
NH
3J CH
--------
--------
5-H
H-C=O
8.46, d, 10.77
9.78, d, 10.77
--------
163.55
NH
(+) CH
NH
NH
Formyl-H
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
6-H
1
136.51
130.61
17.81
(0) Cq
(0) Cq
(+) CH3
(+) CH
(0) Cq
(+) CH
(+) CH
2
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
--------
2-CH3
2.29, s
3
4
5
6
7.52, s
128.68
134.96
124.56
122.03
--------
7.27, d, 8.08
7.45, d, 8.06
5-H
a) DEPT shows CH, CH2, CH3, Cq
b) Correlation from C to the indicated hydrogens
Conclusions
1
13
We have presented the complete H- and C-NMR chemical shifts of the cis and trans isomers of
N-formyl-o-toluidine (2) and N,N’-bis-formyl-o-tolidine (5) in DMSO-d6. The two isomers are formed
in solution due to restricted C-N-amide bond rotation and the cis-isomer predominates in the
equilibrium mixture.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León for their financial support (Project
PAICYT CA058-98). We also thank SDBSWeb (http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/SDBS) for free access
to its spectral data bank (21-30 January 2002).

Molecules 2002, 7
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Experimental
General
NMR spectra were recorded in DMSO-d6 at 25ºC on a Bruker DPX400 spectrometer operating at
1
400.13 MHz for H, and 100.61 MHz for 13C, using the solvent signals as internal references. Thin
layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on precoated plates (Aldrich TLC aluminium backed
sheets coated with silica 60F254) with detection by UV light. FTIR spectra were taken on a Perkin-
Elmer spectrometer using potassium bromide pellets. Mass spectrometry was determined on a GC
Perkin-Elmer Autosystem and a Perkin-Elmer Turbomass mass spectrometer.
N-formyl-o-toluidine (2) [4]. o-Toluidine (43 g, 0.4 mol) and 90% (w/w) formic acid (15 mL, 0.4 mol)
were mixed together in a 100 mL round-bottomed flask fitted with a reflux condenser, and the mixture
was heated on a boiling water bath (96-98 ºC) for 3 hours. The reflux condenser was replaced by a
Claissen still-head and an air condenser arranged for distillation under reduced pressure, and the
product was distilled using a water pump. At 40 mm Hg and 42 ºC a first fraction consisting of a
mixture of water and formic acid was collected,, then unreacted o-tolidine (130 ºC) and finally (199
ºC) the N-formyl-o-toluidine was collected as a pale yellow oil, which solidified on cooling. The yield
was 45.5 g (84 %). M.p. 53 ºC. TLC: Rf = 0.61 (Kieselgel; benzene-chloroform, 2:1). IR vmax: 3256,
3208, 3045, 2880, 1667 (C=O), 1591, 1553, 752 (aromatic ring) cm-1; GC-MS: (Rt = 5.37 min) m/z
135 [M]+,106 (100%) [M-29]+, 77 (calcd. for C8H9NO, 135.16).
N,N’-bis-formyl-o-tolidine (5). o-Toluidine (5 g, 0.024 mol) and 90% (w/w) formic acid (25 mL, 0.65
mol) were mixed together in a 50 mL round-bottomed flask fitted with a reflux condenser and the
mixture was heated on a boiling water bath (96-98 ºC) for 1 hour. After cooling the precipitate formed
was filtered off, washed with cold water and dried in a vacuum desiccator over CaCl2. The yield was
4.87 g (77 %) of a white solid. M.p. 265-270 ºC; TLC: Rf = 0.44 (Kieselgel, benzene-acetone, 3:1); IR
v
max: 3241, 3030, 2883, 1668 C=O), 1595, 1533, 765 (aromatic ring) cm-1; GC-MS: (Rt = 5.19) m/z
253 [M-15]+, 135, 106 (100%), 77 (calcd. for C16H16N2O2, 268.31).
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Molecules 2002, 7
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Sample Availability: samples of compounds 2 and 5 are available from MDPI
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