Structure and reactivity of the 1,10-phenanthroline complex with nitrenium cation

According to the X-ray diffraction data, the cationic fragment in 1-amino-1,10-phenanthrolinium mesitylenesulfonate is a unidentate n-complex whose asymmetric structure is retained in solution. Quantum-chemical calculations by the AMI method and ab initio (6-31G 6-31G*, MP2/6-31G) give geometric parameters of the cation, which are similar to those determined experimentally. No dynamic processes involving intra- or intermolecular transfer of the NH2 group was observed up to 100degreesC by NMR spectroscopy. 1-Amino-1,10-phenanthrolinium cation does not react with 4-methylpyridine and 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline with transfer of the amino group, and it fails to react with mesitylene and anthracene at elevated temperature.