Abstract Deprotonation of the NbH acid 1,8-bis(4-toluenesulphonamido)-2,4,5,7-tetranitronaphthalene by proton sponges 1,2-bis(di-R-aminomethyl)benzene (R Me, Et, Pr, Bu) has been studied by kinetic and spectroscopic methods. Mixtures of the proton sponges with the NH acid in acetonitrile solution give products which are cations and anions with [NH ⋯ N] + and [NH ⋯ N] − homoconjugated intramolecular
[NH⋯N]+ and [NH⋯N]− intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the complex of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene with 1,8-bis(4-toluenesulphonamido)-2,4,5,7-tetranitronaphthalene