Exploring the Anionic Reactivity of Ynimines, Useful Precursors of Metalated Ketenimines

Insights
into the reactivity of ynimines under anionic conditions
are reported. They were shown to be excellent precursors of metalated
ketenimines, which can be generated in situ by the reaction of ynimines
with organolithium reagents or strong bases. The metalated ketenimines
can then be trapped with various electrophiles and, depending on their
substitution pattern, afford original and divergent entries to various
building blocks.