Anisylidene: A Versatile Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Anisylidene is a chemical compound with the formula C6H5N=C=O. It is a yellow solid that is used as a reagent in organic synthesis. It is a type of alkynyl ketone, which means it has a carbon-carbon triple bond (alkyne) attached to a ketone group (-CO-).

Anisylidene is prepared by the reaction of aniline with acetylene:

C6H5NH2 + C2H2 → C6H5N=C=O + H2

This reaction is known as the "anisylidene reaction". Anisylidene can also be prepared by the reaction of aniline with other alkynes, such as ethyne or propyne.

Anisylidene is a versatile reagent that can be used in a variety of organic reactions. For example, it can react with amines to form N-substituted anilines:

C6H5N=C=O + RNH2 → C6H5NR + H2O

It can also react with alcohols to form alkynyl esters:

C6H5N=C=O + ROH → C6H5NR-O-R + H2O

Anisylidene is a useful reagent in organic synthesis because it allows chemists to easily introduce an alkynyl group into a molecule. This can be useful for creating complex molecules with specific properties.