ipso-Substitution of the halogen atom in 2-halo-2-alkenals under the a
ction of secondary amines proceeds via three consecutive steps: additi
on, nucleophilic substitution, and beta-elimination (the Ad(N)-S-N-E m
echanism). The main intermediates arising in the reactions of 2-chloro
propenal and 2-chloro-2-butenal with piperidine were detected by NMR s
pectroscopy. A general scheme of the reaction is proposed.