Benzyl cations were generated via the thermal decomposition of N-benzyl-N- nitrosopivalamide in acetonitrile and acetonitrile-water mixtures at 25° C. The first-formed (primary) benzylating agent, the benzyl cation, was scavenged competitively by pivalate (trimethyl acetate) ion to yield benzyl pivalate, by acetonitrile to yield the corresponding N- benzylnitrilium ion, and by water (when present) to yield benzyl alcohol. The nitrilium ion ...
