An expedient one-pot synthesis of benzophenone Schiff bases from benzene

A simple and efficient one-pot synthesis of benzophenone Schiff bases from benzene, CCl₄ and aromatic amines was developed based on the the reaction of benzene with CCl₄·AlCl₃ complex. This method affords Ph₂CCl₂ as well as the products of its subsequent reaction with aromatic amines, benzophenone Schiff bases, selectively and in good yields.