Synthesis and structure of photodegradable 1-(4,5-dimeth­oxy-2,3-di­nitro­phen­yl)-2-methyl­propyl N-butyl­carbamate

The reaction of 1-(4,5-dimeth­oxy-2,3-di­nitro­phen­yl)-2-methyl­propan-1-ol and butyl­iso­cyanate using di­butyl­tin dilaurate as a catalyst afforded 1-(4,5-dimeth­oxy-2,3-di­nitro­phen­yl)-2-methyl­propyl N-butyl­carbamate, C(17)H(25)N(3)O(8), which released butyl­amine upon photoirradiation. Single crystals of the title compound were grown in a 1:1 mixed solution of hexane and ethyl acetate. Two nitro groups and one meth­oxy group are twisted out of the plane of the aromatic ring in the novel photo-protecting group. Inter­molecular hydrogen bonds are observed between N-butyl­carbamate moieties parallel to the a axis.