Imines : An Overview

In the opening attempts are made to provide a brief survey of di-imines derived from benzil hydrazones through imine chemistry. Imines are compounds containing an azomethine linkage C=N connected to hydrogen or carbon atoms. Possible reaction mechanisms of benzocyclonhexanone oximes and p-quinone monoimines with Lawesson''s and tris(dimethylamino)phosphine reagents are considered in chapter two, and the structural assignments are based on spectroscopic data and x-ray analysis. Three catalogues of imine gels are discussed in the penultimate chapter, namely gels of discrete imine molecules, gels of imine polymers assembled from small molecular precursors and gels of imine polymers assembled from polymer precursors. The structure of penicillin was determined by X-ray in 1945, and the first total synthesis was then reported by Sheehan and Henery-Logan. A brief history of the structure of penicillin is presented in the final chapter, with emphasis on recent progress.