Abstract
In alkaline media barbiturates of the general formula HNCONHCOCR'R“CO react with p-nitrobenzyl chloride to sive derivatives of the composition NCONCOCH2 C6HNO2CR'R”COCH2-C4HNO2. It is postulated that the process of complex formation proceeds via the interaction of a negatively charged enolized barbituric acid ion with a positively charged p-nitrobenzyl ion. The infrared absorption spectra of the derivatives are in accord with this mechanism and suggest that in the complex the barbiturate is bonded to the p-nitrobenzyl moiety through the carbonyl oxygens in the 4 and 6 positions The compounds show unique features throughout the region studied, 4000–650 cm−1, and hence the method affords a high degree of specificity for detecting and characterizing these sedative drugs
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
