I observe by intravenous injection. Plus the solubility and melting point of the imine easily distingushs it from the amine.
The kerosene, which is distilled for the 180-200+ fraction, does not appear to react with the imine. In the end you have a lot of polymerized imine.
So I would guess that either it hinders the reaction or does not posses some property which would facilitate the reaction. Either way there must be some reason besides just temperature to explain it. Yes, I know, the kerosene is a variable, but please don't let that stop anybody from speculating on what helps the rxn go in a different solvent.
Starting from the free imine results in a lot of tarry imine but it does disolve right from the start. Starting from the imine hcl gives maybe 10-20% if you are lucky and it does not disolve, maybe a little at higher temperatures but I think it's most likely a homogenized solution of melted salt. That's trying it over a range of temperatures, stirring, times and solvent volumes. It simply does not work.
So what other otc oils could be tried? I was thinking synthetic bitter almond oil. There must be other commonly available non-petro oils out there that have a bp > 180'?