Direct Reductive Cyclocondensation of the Nitro Group with the Amido Group: Key Role of the Iminophosphorane Intermediate in the Synthesis of 1,4-Dibenzodiazepine Derivatives.

A class of dialkylamino-substituted dibenzodiazepines and their hetero analogues was synthesized by the intramolecular aza-Wittig condensation of the amido group with iminophosphoranes. The one-pot, two-step procedure includes reductive synthesis of the intermediate iminophosphoranes from the corresponding nitroamides and tributylphosphine.