Abstract
A set of C2-chiral diamines 18 − 21 based on 1,6-diazacyclodecane have been identified whose conjugate acids are predicted by B3LYP/6-31G* calculations to have pKa values of ∼23−6 on the water scale (pKa = 30−33 in MeCN); they are also expected to be kinetically active, but essentially nonnucleophilic. Strain relief on protonation largely determines the basicity of these compounds, and the key to the design of stronger bases is limiting conformational freedom, especially by preventing nitrogen inversion, through the introduction of additional ring fusions. 15,16-Dimethyl-15,16-diazatricyclo[9.3.1.14,8]hexadecane (20) is examined in detail and shown to exist in 10 diastereomeric forms as a result of in-/out-isomerism. The predicted pKa values for these diastereomers range over 14 log units.

This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit: