2-Halogeno-N-phenacylimidazolium salts and their reactions with active methylene species, arylamines and thiocyanate ions

This study describes the reactivity of 2-halogeno-N-phenacylimidazolium salts towards active methylene species, arylamines and thiocyanate ions. The 2-chloro-N-phenacylimidazolium salt undergoes unexpected reactions in the presence of active methylene species and a tertiary amine as the base. The reaction of 2-bromo-N-phenacylimidazolium salts with arylamines led to a mixture of the corresponding 2-(arylamino)-N-phenacylimidazolium salts and imidazolone. The reaction of 2-bromo-N-phenacylimidazolium bromide with KSCN led to the corresponding imidazole-2-thione. The crystal structures of five compounds are reported.