Can you make imines from Formaldehyde or Acetaldehyde?

Title says it all. Wondering if imine formation would work with an aldehyde, even better would be formaldehyde.




Yes it does. They are reactive species, methylene imines particularly are easily hydrolysed back to amine + aldehyde.


They are the basis of reductive methylation/alkylation of primary amines where reaction with alkyl halides, especially reactive ones such as MeI risks dialkylation. More details here [reductive alkylation](https://www.organic-chemistry.org/synthesis/C1N/amines/reductiveamination.shtm)


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