The Stereochemistry of Organometallic Compounds. XLII. The Preparation of [2,1-b]Quinazolines Involving Rhodium-Catalysed Hydroformylation of 2-Amino-N-Alkenylbenzylamines

Rhodium-catalysed reactions of 2-amino-N-alkenylbenzylamines with H2/CO give hexahydro-pyrrolo- and hexahydropyrido -[2,1-b] quinazolines. Reactions of N-allyl derivatives give a single regioisomer, and reactions of but-3-enyl analogues give mixtures of pyrrolo and pyrido derivatives. Some reactions give significant amounts (10-30%) of tetrahydro derivatives. The origin of these compounds remains unclear.