Part I. The formation of benzyne in a fragmentation reaction. Part II. A study of restricted rotation about the nitrogen-cobalt bond by NMR.

Abstract

The deamination reaction of 2-aminotriphenylcarbinol in 97% formic acid has been studied in order to investigate the possibility of benzyne formation via a carbonium ion precursor. Product analysis showed that a small but significant amount of benzophenone was formed, which indicated some fragmentation. While this evidence strongly suggests that the other fragment was benzyne, no direct proof of this has been obtained.