Iminium

Iminium is a type of polyatomic ion made from adding a hydrogen atom or other organic functional group to the nitrogen atom of an imine.

Eschenmoser's salt and the Vilsmeier reagent are important dimethyliminium salts.

 Structure 

Iminium ions are isoelectronic with alkenes, and have a similar shape: the atoms on the double bond have trigonal planar molecular geometry in the same plane.

Most iminium ions exist as resonance hybrids between an iminium form and carbenium form:

The iminium form is normally more stable, so it contributes more to resonance than the carbenium form.

 Sources 


Category:Polyatomic ions
Category:Cations