E/Z Oxime Isomerism in PhC(NOH)CN

The reaction of nitric oxide with benzyl cyanide in the presence of potassium methoxide at low temperature gave the dipotassium salt of a bis-diazeniumdiolate 2 in excellent yield. Two new stereospecific syntheses of E or Z 2-(hydroxyimino)-2-phenylacetonitrile from 2 have been found. The thermodynamics of the E/Z isomerization has been investigated spectroscopically in solution, in the solid state by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and theoretically in the gas phase. Evidence of catalysis by NO of E/Z oxime isomerization has been observed.