Carbenoid reactions of 2-halomethyl-4,6-dimethyl-s-triazines

Reactions of lithium, sodium, and potassium salts of 2,4,6-trimethyl-s-triazine (1) with 2-halomethyl-4,6-dimethyl-s-triazine (2) (X = Cl, Br) in glyme have been studied and found to give 1,2-bis(4,6-dimethyl-s-triazin-2-yl)ethane (3), 1,2-bis(4,6-dimethyl-s-triazin-2-yl)ethene (5), 1,2,3-tris(4,6-dimethyl-s-triazin-2-yl)cyclopropane (6), 1,2,3-tris(4,6-dimethyl-s-triazin-2-yl)propane (7), and 1,2,3,4-tetrakis(4,6-dimethyl-s-triazin-2-yl)butane (8). It is proposed that product 3 is formed primarily via an S(N)2 reaction, whereas the remaining products are formed primarily via carbenoid reactions that are enumerated.