Tribenzylamine C–H Activation and Intermolecular Hydrogen Transfer Promoted by WCl₆

The 1:1 molar reaction of WCl₆ with tribenzylamine (tba), in dichloromethane, selectively afforded the iminium salt [(PhCH₂)₂NCHPh]­[WCl₆], <b>1</b>, and the ammonium one [tbaH]­[WCl₆], <b>2</b>, in equimolar amounts. The products were fully characterized by means of spectroscopic methods, analytical methods, and X-ray diffractometry. Density functional theory calculations were carried out with the aim of comprehending the mechanistic aspects