Hans-Joachim Timpe

Heteroaromatic N-Imines

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses heteroaromatic N-imines. Amine N-imines are derived formally from tertiary amines by replacing the free pair of electrons by an imino group. Aliphatic, aromatic, or heteroaromatic compounds are obtained according to the nature of the amine. Heteroaromatic N-imines are derived from heterocyclic compounds containing an azomethine nitrogen atom in the molecule. General methods of preparation of heteroaromatic N-imines are beginning to be recognized, but they have not yet been widely applied. In addition, several special methods exist which have been used only for one specific heterocycle. Given this situation, the methods of preparation are classified in the chapter according to the parent heterocycle. The four most general methods of preparation are discussed in detail under the pyridine N-imines as this is where the experimental material is most extensive. A common method of preparation of heteroaromatic N-imines is the deprotonation of the corresponding N-aminoimmonium salts.