One pot conversion of benzophenone imine into the relevant 2-aza-allenium

Abstract

Interaction of common imines with WCl₆ in organic solvents revealed very unusual features in the context of imine chemistry. Ph₂CNH was converted in one pot into the 2-aza-allenium species [Ph₂CNCPh₂]⁺via N₂ release, with [Ph₂CNH₂]⁺ being a co-product. PhCHN^tBu underwent C–H bond activation resulting in the formation of [CN] containing derivatives, together with [PhCHNH^tBu]⁺.