Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 26. Phosphaminimides. 2. 2,2'-Phosphinylidenebis(1,1,1-trimethylhydrazinium) iodide inner salts as agents affecting ganglionic transmission.

The N-2 atoms of phosphorus 2,2-dimethylhydrazides, contrary to a previous report, can be methylated by iodomethane. Treatment of the resulting dihydrazinium iodides with aqueous sodium hydroxide results in mono- instead of didehydroiodination, apparently due to resonance stabilization of the inner salt form. The phosphaminimide products and their hydrazinium iodide precursors blocked sympathetic ganglionic transmission while one dihydrazide intermediate produced potentiation. Brine shrimp testing indicated that conversion of a hydrazinium iodide to an aminimide moiety results in decreased toxicity.