The base-promoted reactions of N, N, N-trimethyl-a-phenylneopentylammonium halides (la) and AT, N, N-trimethyl-aa-tolylneopentylammonium iodide (lb) with numerous base-solvent systems lead to products of the Stevens 3, ortho-Sommelet-Hauser 5, and para-Sommelet- Hauser 6 rearrangements in addition to the demethylated tertiary amine 9. The Stevens rearrangement is favored in nonpolar solvents and at increased temperatures, the solvent ...
