Synthesis and structure of photodegradable 1-(4,5-dimethoxy-2,3-dinitrophenyl)-2-methylpropyl N -butylcarbamate

The reaction of 1-(4,5-dimethoxy-2,3-dinitrophenyl)-2-methylpropan-1-ol and butylisocyanate using dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst afforded 1-(4,5-dimethoxy-2,3-dinitrophenyl)-2-methylpropyl N -butylcarbamate, C 17 H 25 N 3 O 8 , which released butylamine upon photoirradiation. Single crystals of the title compound were grown in a 1:1 mixed solution of hexane and ethyl acetate. Two nitro groups and one methoxy group are twisted out of the plane of the aromatic ring in the novel photo-protecting group. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds are observed between N -butylcarbamate moieties parallel to the a axis.