Reactions of Organozinc Thiolates with Nitrosonium Ion: <i>C</i>‑Nitroso Formation by Possible Transnitrosation

The organometallic complexes [ZnPAThEt] and [ZnPAThMes], where PATh is 2-methyl-1-[methyl-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)­amino]­propane-2-thiolate, were prepared and their reactions with NOBF₄ investigated. Formation of <i>C</i>-nitrosoethane and <i>C</i>-nitrosomesitylene, respectively, was established, and structural characterization of the latter by X-ray crystallography conclusively proved the dimeric nature of [MesNO]₂ in the solid state. A transnitrosation pathway for <i>C</i>-nitroso formation is proposed based on theoretical calculations