In chemistry imidines are a rare functional group, being the nitrogen analogues of anhydrides and imides. They were first reported by Adolf Pinner in 1883,[1] but did not see significant investigation until the 1950s, when Patrick Linstead and John Arthur Elvidge developed a number of compounds.[2][3]
Imidines may be prepared in a modified Pinner reaction, by passing hydrogen chloride into an alcoholic solution of their corresponding di-nitriles (i.e. succinonitrile, glutaronitrile, adiponitrile) to give imino ethers which then condense when treated with ammonia. As a result, most structures are cyclic.
The compounds are highly moisture sensitive and can be converted into imides upon exposure to water.[2]
