The reductive condensation of trichloromethylarenes with hydrazines can pro
ceed without intermediate formation of pyridinium salts and without partici
pation of pyridine in the reduction act. Variants of reductive condensation
using hydrazines as reducting agents and alpha-chlorobenzylhydrazines and
hydrazonoyl chlorides, nitrile imines, or hydrazonoylpyridinium salts as in
termediates are considered, alpha-Chlorobenzylhydmzines and hydrazonoyl chl
orides are shown to be the most probable intermediates.