Novel preparation of N-arylmethyl-N-arylmethyleneamine N-oxides from benzylic bromides with zinc and isobutyl nitrite

Treatment of benzylic bromides with Zn and LiCl, followed by the reaction with i-butyl nitrite gave N-arylmethyl-N-arylmethyleneamine N-oxides in moderate yields. The present reaction is a novel and simple method for the preparation of nitrones from benzylic bromides, although the yields are moderate.