Preparation of O-(methoxymethyl)benzophenone oxime and N-(di-phenylmethylene)methoxymethylamine N-oxide and their reactions with trichloroacetic acid

Abstract

Reactions of the title compounds with trichloroacetic acid have been compared with those of the analogous methylthiomethyl compounds studied earlier. A sequence of reactions produced methoxymethyl trichloroacetate, then methanol, and finally methyl trichloroacetate from both compounds; the N-oxide also isomerised to the oxime O-ether. Added water had little effect on the first stages of the sequence. Reaction schemes are presented that account for the formation and reaction of the identified intermediates.