Molecular Rearrangements. Part VI. Aryl(alkyl)amines (II) Thermal Rearrangement of N-Benzylaniline
Heating N-benzylaniline resulted in migration of the benzyl group to the ortho- and para-positions of the aniline nucleus. Ammonia, toluene, biphenyl, diphenylmethane, dibenzyl, trans-stilbene, aniline, together with 9-phenylacridine, and 2,3-diphenylindole, were also formed.When phenol, quinoline, or isoquinoline were used as solvents, the normal rearrangement products were accompanied by 2- and 4-benzylphenols, 3-benzylquinoline, 2- and 4-(aminophenyl)quinoline, 4-benzylisoquinoline, and 1-(aminophenyl)isoquinolines.It is concluded that the pyrolysis of the secondary amine depends on its homolytic fission to benzyl and phenylamine free radicals. Homolysis of some initially separated products was also observed.