Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Synthesis of 1,2-Azaborines and the Preparation of Their Protein Complexes with T4 Lysozyme Mutants
Published on: March 25, 2017
Observable azacyclobutenone ylides with antiaromatic character from 2-diazoacetyl-azaaromatics
Nanyan Fu1, Annette D Allen, Shinjiro Kobayashi
1Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
New azacyclobutenone ylides were generated and characterized using laser flash photolysis. These novel compounds exhibit significant antiaromatic character in their four-membered rings and reduced aromaticity in their six-membered rings.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Photochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Azacyclobutenone ylides are reactive intermediates.
- Their generation and characterization are crucial for understanding novel chemical structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate and characterize novel azacyclobutenone ylides.
- To investigate the electronic and aromatic properties of these ylides.
Main Methods:
- Laser flash photolysis of diazoacetylpyridine and diazoacetylpyridazine derivatives.
- Spectroscopic identification using IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational NICS calculations.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated and identified azacyclobutenone ylides 2, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 21.
- Characterized by distinct IR and UV-Vis spectra, with ylide 21 showing notable persistence.
- Calculated NICS values and observed bond alternation suggest strong antiaromaticity in the four-membered rings and reduced aromaticity in the six-membered rings.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates the successful generation of novel azacyclobutenone ylides.
- These ylides possess unique electronic properties, indicating antiaromatic character.
- Findings contribute to the understanding of aromaticity and electronic structure in cyclic organic compounds.
Related Concept Videos
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Aryldiazonium Salts: Aromatic SN1
In the Sandmeyer reaction, for example, the diazonio group is replaced by a chloro, bromo, or cyano...
Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism
Aryldiazonium Salts to Azo Dyes: Diazo Coupling
Nomenclature of Aryl and Heterocyclic Amines

![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)