Protonation Effects on the Benzoxazine Formation Pathways and Products Distribution

The effect of acidic media on the formation of the 3,4-dihydro-2H-3-phenyl-1,3-benzoxazine Bz is evaluated, focusing on the differentiation of intermediates and products formed by the distinct pathways observed in the presence and absence of acid. The use of real-time mass spectrometry (PSI-ESI-MS) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) allowed the differentiation of the species observed during the synthesis of benzoxazines in these different conditions. The results suggest that formic acid promotes the formation of aniline and phenol condensation products (IC and IIC) by protecting the aniline amino group and enhancing the formaldehyde electrophilicity. The results also suggest that although the presence of acid allow a more efficient potential energy landscape to be accessed, the last cyclization step for the formation of benzoxazines cannot be mediated by the protonation route intermediate (ROP Bz). Overall, the conclusions presented here provide important information about the synthesis of benzoxazines under acidic conditions, allowing the development of optimal reaction conditions.