Intermediate obtained from photoionization, serving as precursor for the synthesis of Schiff’s base

Abstract

In this article, we have introduced an intermediate benzyl carbocation (formed as a result of photoionization) which serves as precursor for the synthesis of Schiff’s base. Lifetimes of many carbocations were determined from our laboratory. During the determination of the lifetimes, our endeavor was to obtain a carbocation with high selectivity, s = k_nu/k_H2O. The selectivity is the ratio of the rate constant of the reaction of carbocation with an externally added nucleophile, (nu, aniline) to that of the rate constant of the water. Our intention was to obtain a carbocation with high selectivity, so that one can pave a path for the synthesis of Schiff’s base by the reaction of the carbocation intermediate with aniline.

KEY WORDS: Carbocation, Selectivity, Intermediates, Solvolysis, Photoionization and Iminodiazonium ion

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(2), 295-300.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i2.13