Molecular and electronic structures of the purple chromophore RC(NH2)(NSePh) (R=H, 4-CH3C6H4)

The reaction of Li[4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 C(NSiMe 3 ) 2 ] with PhECl (E = S, Se) in a 1:1 molar ratio produces the monosubstituted derivatives 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 C(NEPh)[N(SiMe 3 ) 2 ] (3b, E = Se; 3d, E = S). The thermolysis of 3b at 130 °C produces PhSeN(SiMe 3 ) 2 and 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 CN. Crystals of 3b slowly acquire a purple stain upon prolonged standing at 23 °C owing to the formation of 4-CH 3 C 6 H 4 C(NH 2 )(NSePh) (4c, λ max = 551 nm). The …