Two N-benzyl imines are designed to allow for carbon–carbon bond formations at the aminated benzylic positions. Direct benzylic arylation reactions of N-benzylxanthone imine with aryl chlorides proceed under palladium catalysis in the presence of cesium hydroxide, yielding the corresponding benzhydrylamine derivatives. Alkylation reactions of N-benzyldi- 1-naphthyl ketone imine with alkyl halides in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide ...