The reaction of N-phenyldimethylketenimine (1) with peracids was examined first. Treatment of a cold CHzClz solution of 1 with 1 equiv of peracetic acid gave a 65% yield of acetone, a 19% yield of a-acetoxydimethylacetan-ilide (2a), and substantial amounts of phenyl isocyanide (as determined by ir). Oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) gave acetone (33%) and the m-chlorobenzoxyamide 2b (22%) in addition to phenyl isocyanide. ...
