Bis-diazeniumdiolates of dialkyldiamines: enhanced nitric oxide loading of parent diamines.

[reaction: see text] The synthesis and characterization of a series of symmetric bis-dialkyldiamine-based diazeniumdiolates, RN[N(O)NO(-)Na(+)](CH(2))(x)()N[N(O)NO(-)Na(+)]R', are reported. Preparation of corresponding intramolecular diazeniumdiolates of the form RN[N(O)NO](-)(CH(2))(x)()NH(2)(+)R' with alkyl groups > (CH(2))(4)CH(3) have been shown previously to lack stability. In contrast, sodium-stabilized bis-diazeniumdiolates of such lipophilic species can be readily formed when these same diamines are reacted with NO in basic media. The resulting compounds release 4 mol of NO per mole of original diamine. This approach enables the synthesis of more lipophilic NO donors than previously possible.