Tetrahydrofolate coenzyme models: I. Synthesis of 1-methyl-2-phenyl-3-aryl imidazolinium iodide and benzylidyne (phenyl-substituted one carbon unit) transfer reactions

Four 1, 2, 3-trisubstituted imidazolinium iodides which were used as 5,10 -+CPh-THF model (7—10) at formic acid oxidation level were synthesized. The benzylidyne group (phenyl-substituted one carbon unit) transfer reactions from these compounds to Grignard reagent were investigated, and the reactions of these compounds with KBH₄ and NaOH were also studied.