TEMPO
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| Names | |
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| Preferred IUPAC name
(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl | |
| Other names
(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxidanyl
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| Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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| Properties | |
| Page Module:Chem2/styles.css has no content.C9H18NO | |
| Molar mass | 156.249 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Orange-red solid |
| Melting point | 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F; 309 to 311 K) |
| Boiling point | sublimes under vacuum |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Template:Chembox Footer/trackingTemplate:Short description
(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl or (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxidanyl, commonly known as TEMPO, is a chemical compound with the formula Page Module:Chem2/styles.css has no content.(CH2)3(CMe2)2NO. This heterocyclic compound is a red-orange, sublimable solid. As a stable aminoxyl radical, it has applications in chemistry and biochemistry.[1] TEMPO is used as a radical marker, as a structural probe for biological systems in conjunction with electron spin resonance spectroscopy, as a reagent in organic synthesis, and as a mediator in controlled radical polymerization.[2]
Preparation
TEMPO was discovered by Lebedev and Kazarnowskii in 1960.[3] It is prepared by oxidation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.[4]
Structure and bonding

The structure has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The reactive radical is well shielded by the four methyl groups.
The stability of this radical can be attributed to the delocalization of the radical to form a two-center three-electron N–O bond. The stability is reminiscent of the stability of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Additional stability is attributed to the steric protection provided by the four methyl groups adjacent to the aminoxyl group. These methyl groups serve as inert substituents, whereas any CH center adjacent to the aminoxyl would be subject to abstraction by the aminoxyl.[6]
Regardless of the reasons for the stability of the radical, the O–H bond in the hydrogenated derivative (the hydroxylamine 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) TEMPO–H is weak. With an O–H bond dissociation energy of about Template:Cvt, this bond is about 30% weaker than a typical O–H bond.[7]
Application in organic synthesis
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". TEMPO is employed in organic synthesis as a catalyst for the oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes. The actual oxidant is the N-oxoammonium salt. In a catalytic cycle with sodium hypochlorite as the stoichiometric oxidant, hypochlorous acid generates the N-oxoammonium salt from TEMPO.

One typical reaction example is the oxidation of (S)-(−)-2-methyl-1-butanol to (S)-(+)-2-methylbutanal:[8] 4-Methoxyphenethyl alcohol is oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid in a system of catalytic TEMPO and sodium hypochlorite and a stoichiometric amount of sodium chlorite.[9] TEMPO oxidations also exhibit chemoselectivity, being inert towards secondary alcohols, but the reagent will convert aldehydes to carboxylic acids.
The oxidation of TEMPO can be highly selective. In basic conditions, TEMPO oxidizes primary alcohols before secondary alcohols.[10] But in acid, secondary alcohols provide an H− ion more easily, and oxidize first instead.[11]
In cases where secondary oxidizing agents cause side reactions, it is possible to stoichiometrically convert TEMPO to the oxoammonium salt in a separate step. For example, in the oxidation of geraniol to geranial, 4-acetamido-TEMPO is first oxidized to the oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate.[12]
TEMPO can also be employed in nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMP), a controlled free radical polymerization technique that allows better control over the final molecular weight distribution. The TEMPO free radical can be added to the end of a growing polymer chain, creating a "dormant" chain that stops polymerizing. However, the linkage between the polymer chain and TEMPO is weak, and can be broken upon heating, which then allows the polymerization to continue. Thus, the chemist can control the extent of polymerization and also synthesize narrowly distributed polymer chains.
Industrial applications and analogues
TEMPO is sufficiently inexpensive for use on a laboratory scale.[13] There is also industrial-scale manufacturer which can provide TEMPO at a reasonable price in large quantity.[14] Structurally related analogues do exist, which are largely based on 4-hydroxy-TEMPO (TEMPOL). This is produced from acetone and ammonia, via triacetone amine, making it much less expensive. Other alternatives include polymer-supported TEMPO catalysts, which are economic due to their recyclability.[15]
Industrial-scale examples of TEMPO-like compounds include hindered amine light stabilizers and polymerisation inhibitors.
See also
- 1-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, the reduced derivative of TEMPO
- TEMPOL
- Bobbitt's salt
- N-Hydroxyphthalimide
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Barriga, S. (2001). "2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)" (PDF). Synlett. 2001 (4): 563. doi:10.1055/s-2001-12332.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Montanari, F.; Quici, S.; Henry-Riyad, H.; Tidwell, T. T. (2005). "2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. John Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rt069.pub2. ISBN 0471936235.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lebedev, O. L.; Kazarnovskii, S. N. (1960). "[Catalytic oxidation of aliphatic amines with hydrogen peroxide]". Zhur. Obshch. Khim. 30 (5): 1631–1635. CAN 55:7792.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mahapatro, Surendra N.; Kallan, Nicholas C.; Hovey, Tanden A.; De Dios, Robyn Krystal; Vergil, Catherine; Lai, Trinh; De Dios, Robert Christian; Tran, Danny; McEvoy, James P. (2024). "TEMPO Synthesis, Characterization and Catalysis: An Integrated Upper-Division Laboratory". Journal of Chemical Education. 101 (12): 5449–5459. Bibcode:2024JChEd.101.5449M. doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00739.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Yonekuta Yasunori, Oyaizu Kenichi, Nishide Hiroyuki (2007). "Structural Implication of Oxoammonium Cations for Reversible Organic One-electron Redox Reaction to Nitroxide Radicals". Chem. Lett. 36 (7): 866–867. doi:10.1246/cl.2007.866.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Zanocco, A. L.; Canetem, A. Y.; Melendez, M. X. (2000). "A Kinetic Study of the Reaction between 2-p-methoxyphenyl-4-phenyl-2-oxazolin-5-one and 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-piperidinyl-N-oxide". Boletín de la Sociedad Chilena de Química. 45 (1): 123–129. doi:10.4067/S0366-16442000000100016.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Galli, C. (2009). "Nitroxyl radicals". Chemistry of Hydroxylamines, Oximes and Hydroxamic Acids. Vol. 2. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 705–750. ISBN 978-0-470-51261-6. LCCN 2008046989.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Anelli, P. L.; Montanari, F.; Quici, S. (1990). "A General Synthetic Method for the Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Aldehydes: (S)-(+)-2-Methylbutanal". Organic Syntheses. 69: 212
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link); Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Collected Volumes, vol. 8, p. 367. - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Zhao, M. M.; Li, J.; Mano, E.; Song, Z. J.; Tschaen, D. M. (2005). "Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids with Sodium Chlorite catalyzed by TEMPO and Bleach: 4-Methoxyphenylacetic Acid". Organic Syntheses. 81: 195
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link). - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.de Nooy, Arjan E.J.; Besemer, Arie C.; van Bekkum, Herman (July 1995). "Selective oxidation of primary alcohols mediated by nitroxyl radical in aqueous solution. Kinetics and mechanism". Tetrahedron. 51 (29): 8023–8032. doi:10.1016/0040-4020(95)00417-7.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Detailed study about TEMPO oxidation". LISKON-CHEM.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bobbitt, J. M.; Merbouh, N. (2005). "2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-". Organic Syntheses. 82: 80
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link). - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."TEMPO". Sigma-Aldrich.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."TEMPO-LISKON industrial-scale".
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Ciriminna, R.; Pagliaro, M. (2010). "Industrial Oxidations with Organocatalyst TEMPO and Its Derivatives". Organic Process Research & Development. 14 (1): 245–251. doi:10.1021/op900059x.