Diazomethane umpolung atop anthracene: An electrophilic methylene transfer reagent

Abstract

Formal addition of diazomethane's terminal nitrogen atom to the 9,10-positions of anthracene yields H2CN2A (1, A = C14H10 or anthracene). The synthesis of this hydrazone is reported from Carpino's hydrazine H2N2A through treatment with paraformaldehyde. Compound 1 has been found to be an easy-To-handle solid that does not exhibit dangerous heat or shock sensitivity. Effective umpolung of the diazomethane unit imbues 1 with electrophilicity at the methylene carbon center. Its reactivity with nucleophiles such as H2CPPh3 and N-heterocyclic carbenes is exploited for CC bond formation with elimination of dinitrogen and anthracene. Similarly, 1 is demonstrated to deliver methylene to a nucleophilic singlet d2 transition metal center, W(ODipp)4 (2), to generate the robust methylidene complex [2CH2]. This behavior is contrasted with that of the Wittig reagent H2CPPh3, a more traditional and Brønsted basic methylene source that upon exposure to 2 contrastingly forms the methylidyne salt [MePPh3][2CH].