Synthesis and direct spectroscopic observation of a 1,1-dialkyldiazene. Infrared and electronic spectrum of N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)nitrene

We report here the synthesis and direct observation of a 1, 1-dialkyldiazene, N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)nitrene (3). The visible spectrum provides the first experimental information concerning the electronic structure of a 1, 1-dialkyldiazene. Moreover, the infrared spectrum provides evidence that there is considerable double bond character in the N=N bond, similar to a 1,2-diazene (2).