The protonation chemistry of trichlorophosphazene (R-1-N=PC3) with sulfonic
acids ((RSO3H)-S-2) was found to be affected by the N-substituents R-1, yi
elding bis(sulfonyl)imides containing both R-1 and R-2, and mixed sulfonylp
hosphonyl imides containing either R-1 or R-2. Tn the formation of the latt
er a hitherto unobserved chemistry occurred. An intramolecular 'imine SN2'
mechanism was proposed to rationalize the reactions observed. (C) 2000 Else
vier Science S.A. All rights reserved.