Functionalization of Quinazolin‐4‐Ones Part 2#: Reactivity of 2‐Amino‐3, 4, 5, or 6‐Nitrobenzoic Acids with Triphenylphosphine Thiocyanate,Alkyl Isothiocyanates,and Further Derivatization Reactions

2‐amino‐3, 4, 5, or 6‐nitrobenzoic acids were reacted with PPh₃(SCN)₂ and alkyl isothiocyanates to give 5, 6, 7, or 8‐nitro‐2‐thioxo‐3‐substituted quinazolin‐4‐ones, respectively. The position of the nitro group was found to have significant influence on the outcome of the reactions. Similarly, the nature of the substituent at position 8 (NO₂, NH₂, NH(C═O)CH₃) in 8‐substituted‐2‐methylthio quinazolin‐4‐ones was also found to significantly influence their reactivity towards morpholine. A selection of the products were also tested for in vitro antibacterial activity but little activity was observed.     

2‐(Dinitromethylene)‐1‐nitro‐1, 3‐diazacyclopentane‐Based Energetic Salts

Energetic salts that contain nitrogen‐rich cations and the 2‐(dinitromethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 3‐diazacyclopent‐1‐ene anion were synthesized in high yield by direct neutralization reactions. The resulting salts were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C), vibrational spectroscopy (IR), elemental analysis, density and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structures of the ammonium ( 1 ) and isopropylideneaminoguanidinium ( 9 ) 2‐(dinitromethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 3‐diazacyclopent‐l‐ene salts were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Solid‐state ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy was used as an effective technique to further determine the structure of some of the products. The densities of the energetic salts paired with organic cations fell between 1.50 and 1.79 g · cm^–3 as measured by a gas pycnometer. Based on the measured densities and calculated heats of formation, detonation pressures and velocities were calculated using Explo 5.05 and found to to be 25.2–35.5 GPa and 7949–9004 m · s^–1, respectively, which make them competitive energetic materials.     

Synthesis and Characteristics of Bis(2, 2‐dinitroethyl‐N‐nitro)ethylenediamine‐Based Energetic Salts

New energetic bis(2, 2‐dinitroethyl‐N‐nitro)ethylenediamine‐based salts exhibiting moderate physical properties, good detonation properties, and relatively low impact sensitivities were synthesized in high yield by direct reactions of bis(2, 2‐dinitroethyl‐N‐nitro)ethylenediamine with organic bases. The resulting salts were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C), vibrational spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. Solid‐state ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy was used as an effective technique to further determine the structure of some products. Thermal decomposition kinetics and several thermodynamic parameters of some salts were obtained under non‐isothermal conditions by DSC. The densities of the energetic salts paired with organic cations were in the range 1.60–1.89 g · cm^–3 as measured with a gas pycnometer. Based on the measured densities and calculated heats of formation, detonation pressures and velocities were calculated using Explo 5.05 and found to be 23.6–44.8 GPa and 7790–9583 m · s^–1, respectively, which make them potentially useful as energetic materials.     

An efficient in situ reduction and cyclization reaction for synthesis of spiro compound derivatives in Fe–H2O–AcOH medium from nitro compounds

An efficient in situ reduction and cyclization reaction for the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing spiro compounds directly form 5‐nitro‐1H‐indazole, 6‐nitro‐1H‐indazole and 5‐nitroindole in Fe–H₂O–AcOH medium is reported. 5‐Nitro‐1H‐indazole, 6‐nitro‐1H‐indazole and 5‐nitroindole were first used to synthesize spiro compounds, and this is a novel method for the synthesis of spiro compounds from nitro compounds. The advantages of this reaction are stable reagents, easily available raw materials, wide range of substrates and high yields.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Spiro‐oxindole Derivatives by Three‐Component Reactions in Water

An efficient synthesis of (3S)‐1,1′,2,2′,3′,4′,6′,7′‐octahydro‐9′‐nitro‐2,6′‐dioxospiro[3H‐indole‐3,8′‐[8H]pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine]‐7′‐carbonitrile is achieved via a three‐component reaction of isatin, ethyl cyanoacetate, and 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexahydro‐2‐(nitromethylidene)pyrimidine. The present method does not involve any hazardous organic solvents or catalysts. Also the synthesis of ethyl 6′‐amino‐1,1′,2,2′,3′,4′‐hexahydro‐9′‐nitro‐2‐oxospiro[3H‐indole‐3,8′‐[8H]pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine]‐7′‐carboxylates in high yields, at reflux, using a catalytic amount of piperidine, is described. The structures were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS data) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).     

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and its Complexes with Copper(II) Chloride and Copper(II) Perchlorate

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole (hnt), prepared by alkylation of 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole with 2‐chloroethanol, was found to react with copper(II) chloride and copper(II) perchlorate in acetonitrile/ethanol solutions giving complexes [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] and[Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂, respectively. They are the first examples of coordination compounds with a neutral N‐substituted 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole ligand. 1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and the obtained complexes were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, X‐ray, and thermal analyses. [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] presents a dinuclear chlorido‐bridged complex in which hnt acts as a chelating bidentate ligand, coordinated to the metal by a nitrogen atom of the triazole ring and an oxygen atom of the nitro group, and the copper atoms are inconsiderably distorted octahedral coordination. [Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂comprises a mononuclear complex cation, in which two nitrogen atoms of two hnt ligands in trans configuration and three water oxygen atoms form a square pyramidal environment around the copper atom, which is completed to an distorted octahedron with a bifurcated vertex due to two additional elongated Cu–O bonds with two nitro groups. In both complexes, Cu–O bonds with the nitro groups may be considered as semi‐coordinated.     

Unexpected beauty and diversity in the structures of three homologous 4,5‐dialkoxy‐1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitrobenzenes: the subtle interplay between intermolecular C—H…O hydrogen bonds and alkyl chain length

The synthesis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, and X‐ray structures are described for three dialkoxy ethynylnitrobenzenes that differ only in the length of the alkoxy chain, namely 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipropoxybenzene, C₁₄H₁₇NO₄, 1,2‐dibutoxy‐4‐ethynyl‐5‐nitrobenzene, C₁₆H₂₁NO₄, and 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipentoxybenzene, C₁₈H₂₅NO₄. Despite the subtle changes in molecular structure, the crystal structures of the three compounds display great diversity. Thus, 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipropoxybenzene crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system in the space group , with Z = 18, 1,2‐dibutoxy‐4‐ethynyl‐5‐nitrobenzene crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system in the space group P 2₁/c , with Z = 4, and 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipentoxybenzene crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system in the space group , with Z = 2. The crystal structure of 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipropoxybenzene is dominated by planar hexamers formed by a bifurcated alkoxy sp‐C—H…O,O′ interaction, while the structure of the dibutoxy analogue is dominated by planar ribbons of molecules linked by a similar bifurcated alkoxy sp‐C—H…O,O′ interaction. In contrast, the dipentoxy analogue forms ribbons of molecules alternately connected by a self‐complementary sp‐C—H…O₂N interaction and a self‐complementary sp²‐C—H…O₂N interaction. Disordered solvent was included in the crystals of 1‐ethynyl‐2‐nitro‐4,5‐dipropoxybenzene and its contribution was removed during refinement.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Alkyl and Aryl‐(4‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐quinolin‐2‐yl)amines: X‐Ray Structures of Ethyl and Cyclohexyl‐(4‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐quinolin‐2‐yl)amine

Abstract

We have synthesized and characterized a series of alkyl and aryl‐(4‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐quinolin‐2‐yl)amines through a high‐yield, three‐step procedure starting from 4‐methylquinolin‐2‐ol. Nitration using concentrated nitric/sulfuric acids, followed by chlorination in phosphorus oxychloride, yielded 2‐chloro‐4‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐quinoline. All of the intermediates and aminated products have been characterized by multinuclear (¹H and ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and, in the case of the two title compounds (ethyl and cyclohexyl‐(4‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐quinolin‐2‐yl)amine), a single crystal X‐ray structure was obtained to verify the nature of the new materials.     

Synthesis of 15‐Cyano‐12‐oxopentadecano‐15‐lactone and 15‐Cyano‐ 12‐oxopentadecano‐15‐lactam

15‐Cyano‐12‐oxopentadecano‐15‐lactone was synthesized in 59% total yield starting from 2‐nitrocyclododecanone by Michael addition to acrylaldehyde, followed by reaction with trimethylsilylcyanide, hydrolysis, ring‐expansion, and Nef reaction. A two‐step, one‐pot synthesis of intermediate 2‐hydroxy‐4‐(1‐nitro‐2‐oxycyclododecyl)butanenitrile from 3‐(1‐nitro‐2‐oxocyclododecyl)propanal was developed and the conditions for the Nef reaction were studied. 15‐Cyano‐12‐oxopentadecano‐15‐lactam was synthesized in 40% total yield starting from 2‐nitrocyclododecanone by Michael addition to acrylaldehyde, followed by Strecker reaction, ring‐expansion, and Nef reaction. The conditions for the Strecker and Nef reactions were studied. The structures of the target compounds, intermediates, and by‐product were characterized by IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and elemental analysis or MS.     

Thermal Behavior of N,N＇Bis[N-（2,2,2-trinitroethyl）-N-nitro]ethylenediamine

The thermal behavior and kinetic parameters of the exothermic decomposition reaction of N‐N‐bis[N‐(2,2,2‐tri‐nitroethyl)‐N‐nitro]ethylenediamine in a temperature‐programmed mode have been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that kinetic model function in differential form, apparent activation energy E_a and pre‐exponential factor A of this reaction are 3(1 ‐α)^2/3, 203.67 kJ·mol^?1 and 10^20.61s^?1, respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of the compound is 182.2 °C. The values of ΔS^≠ ΔH^≠ and ΔG^≠ of this reaction are 143.3 J·mol^?1·K^?1, 199.5 kJ·mol^?1 and 135.5 kJ·mol^?1, respectively.     

Hydrogen bonding in 4‐nitrobenzene‐1,2‐diamine and two hydrohalide salts

The structures of 4‐nitrobenzene‐1,2‐diamine [C₆H₇N₃O₂, (I)], 2‐amino‐5‐nitroanilinium chloride [C₆H₈N₃O₂⁺·Cl⁻, (II)] and 2‐amino‐5‐nitroanilinium bromide monohydrate [C₆H₈N₃O₂⁺·Br⁻·H₂O, (III)] are reported and their hydrogen‐bonded structures described. The amine group para to the nitro group in (I) adopts an approximately planar geometry, whereas the meta amine group is decidedly pyramidal. In the hydrogen halide salts (II) and (III), the amine group meta to the nitro group is protonated. Compound (I) displays a pleated‐sheet hydrogen‐bonded two‐dimensional structure with R₂²(14) and R₄⁴(20) rings. The sheets are joined by additional hydrogen bonds, resulting in a three‐dimensional extended structure. Hydrohalide salt (II) has two formula units in the asymmetric unit that are related by a pseudo‐inversion center. The dominant hydrogen‐bonding interactions involve the chloride ion and result in R₄²(8) rings linked to form a ladder‐chain structure. The chains are joined by N—H...Cl and N—H...O hydrogen bonds to form sheets parallel to (010). In hydrated hydrohalide salt (III), bromide ions are hydrogen bonded to amine and ammonium groups to form R₄²(8) rings. The water behaves as a double donor/single acceptor and, along with the bromide anions, forms hydrogen bonds involving the nitro, amine, and ammonium groups. The result is sheets parallel to (001) composed of alternating R₅⁵(15) and R₆⁴(24) rings. Ammonium N—H...Br interactions join the sheets to form a three‐dimensional extended structure. Energy‐minimized structures obtained using DFT and MP2 calculations are consistent with the solid‐state structures. Consistent with (II) and (III), calculations show that protonation of the amine group meta to the nitro group results in a structure that is about 1.5 kJ mol⁻¹ more stable than that obtained by protonation of the para‐amine group. DFT calculations on single molecules and hydrogen‐bonded pairs of molecules based on structural results obtained for (I) and for 3‐nitrobenzene‐1,2‐diamine, (IV) [Betz & Gerber (2011). Acta Cryst. E 67 , o1359] were used to estimate the strength of the N—H...O(nitro) interactions for three observed motifs. The hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the pairs of molecules examined was found to correspond to 20–30 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of the 3D Lanthanide Organic Frameworks with N‐Heterocyclic Polycarboxylic Acids

Four 3D lanthanide organic frameworks from potassium pyrazine‐2, 3, 5, 6‐tetracarboxylate (K₄pztc) or potassium pyridine‐2, 3, 5, 6‐tetracarboxylate (K₄pdtc), namely, {[KEu(pztc)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[KTb(pztc)(H₂O)₂] · 1.25H₂O}_n ( 2 ), {[KLn(pdtc)(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n [Ln = Gd ( 3 ), Ho ( 4 )], were synthesized by reaction of the corresponding lanthanide oxides with K₄pztc or K₄pdtc in presence of HCl under hydrothermal conditions, and characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as X‐ray diffraction. In complexes 1 and 2 , the dodecadentate chelator pztc^4– links four Ln^III ions and four K^I ions. The coordination mode of the pztc^4– ligand is reported for the first time herein. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural with earlier reported Nd, Dy, Er complexes. Moreover, the Eu^III and Tb^III complexes exhibit the characteristic luminescence.     

Experimental and theoretical IR,Raman, NMR spectra of 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐nitrobenzoic acids

The influence of the position of nitro group toward the carboxylic group on the vibration structure of the molecule was estimated. Optimized geometrical structures were calculated (HF, B3PW91, B3LYP). Experimental and theoretical FT‐IR, FT‐Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the title compounds were recorded and analyzed. The most important vibrational bands of nitro and carboxyl groups and the benzene ring were assigned. Wavenumbers and intensities for the three acids studied were compared and discussed. Data of chemical shifts in ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐nitrobenzoic acids were analyzed in comparison with benzoic acid molecule. The calculated parameters are compared with experimental characteristics of these molecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

3-Azido-N-nitro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine-based energetic salts

Twelve energetic nitrogen‐rich salts based on 3‐azido‐N‐nitro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐amine were prepared and fully characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of the neutral compound 3‐azido‐N‐nitro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐amine ( 1 ) and its triaminoguanidinium salt ( 13 ) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The density of 1 and its twelve salts ranged from 1.57 to 1.79 g cm^?3, and the heat of formation was calculated with the Gaussian 03 suite of programs. Compounds 1 – 13 exhibit promising detonation performances (pressure: 25.3–39.3 GPa; velocity: 8159–9409 ms^?1; EXPLO 5.05). Impact sensitivities were also determined by hammer tests and resulted ranging from 2.5 J (very sensitive) to >40 J (insensitive).     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Methacrylic Copolymers: Determination of Monomer Reactivity Ratios

A new methacrylic monomer, 4‐nitro‐3‐methylphenyl methacrylate (NMPM) was prepared by reacting 4‐nitro‐3‐methyl phenol dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst. Copolymerization of NMPM with methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been carried out in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) by free radical solution polymerization at 70±1°C utilizing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. Poly (NMPM‐co‐MMA) copolymers were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights (M_w and M_n) and polydispersity indices (M_w/M_n) of the polymers were determined using a gel permeation chromatograph. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the copolymers were determined by a differential scanning calorimeter, showing that T_g increases with MMA content in the copolymer. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers, performed under nitrogen, shows that the stability of the copolymer increases with an increase in NMPM content. The solubility of the polymers was tested in various polar and non‐polar solvents. Copolymer compositions were determined by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy by comparing the integral peak heights of well separated aromatic and aliphatic proton peaks. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by the Fineman‐Ross (r₁ =7.090:r₂=0.854), Kelen‐Tudos (r₁=7.693: r₂=0.852) and extended Kelen‐Tudos methods (r₁=7.550: r₂= 0.856).     

Organocatalyzed Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Nitro Alkenes – Generally Accepted Mechanism Revisited and Revised

The amine‐catalyzed enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes to nitro alkenes (Scheme 1) is known to be acid‐catalyzed (Fig. 1). A mechanistic investigation of this reaction, catalyzed by diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl ether is described. Of the 13 acids tested, 4‐NO₂? C₆H₄OH turned out to be the most effective additive, with which the amount of catalyst could be reduced to 1 mol‐% (Tables 2–5). Fast formation of an amino‐nitro‐cyclobutane 12 was discovered by in situ NMR analysis of a reaction mixture. Enamines, preformed from the prolinol ether and aldehydes (benzene/molecular sieves), and nitroolefins underwent a stoichiometric reaction to give single all‐trans‐isomers of cyclobutanes (Fig. 3) in a [2+2] cycloaddition. This reaction was shown, in one case, to be acid‐catalyzed (Fig. 4) and, in another case, to be thermally reversible (Fig. 5). Treatment of benzene solutions of the isolated amino‐nitro‐cyclobutanes with H₂O led to mixtures of 4‐nitro aldehydes (the products 7 of overall Michael addition) and enamines 13 derived thereof (Figs. 6–9). From the results obtained with specific examples, the following tentative, general conclusions are drawn for the mechanism of the reaction (Schemes 2 and 3): enamine and cyclobutane formation are fast, as compared to product formation; the zwitterionic primary product 5 of C,C‐bond formation is in equilibrium with the product of its collapse (the cyclobutane) and with its precursors (enamine and nitro alkene); when protonated at its nitronate anion moiety the zwitterion gives rise to an iminium ion 6 , which is hydrolyzed to the desired nitro aldehyde 7 or deprotonated to an enamine 13 . While the enantioselectivity of the reaction is generally very high (>97% ee), the diastereoselectivity depends upon the conditions, under which the reaction is carried out (Fig. 10 and Tables 1–5). Various acid‐catalyzed steps have been identified. The cyclobutanes 12 may be considered an off‐cycle ‘reservoir’ of catalyst, and the zwitterions 5 the ‘key players’ of the process (bottom part of Scheme 2 and Scheme 3).     

Nitroxy/Azido‐Functionalized Triazoles as Potential Energetic Plasticizers

The synthesis of a series of nitroxy‐ and azido‐functionalized compounds, based on 4‐amino‐3,5‐di(hydroxymethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole, for possible use as an energetic plasticizers is described. All compounds were fully characterized. Two of them were further confirmed by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Energetic performance was calculated by using EXPLO5 v6.01 based on calculated heats of formation (Gaussian 03) and experimentally determined densities at 25 °C. The results show that the nitration product 1‐nitro‐3,5‐di(nitroxymethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole, containing a nitro group and two nitroxy groups, exhibits good detonation properties (D=8574 m s^?1, P=32.7 GPa). In addition, its low melting point makes it very attractive as an energetic plasticizer in solid propellants.     

1, 9‐Dihydro‐purine‐6‐thione Derivatives of the d8–d10 Metal Ions (PdII,PtII, and CuI): Synthesis,Spectroscopy, and Structures

Reaction of 1, 9‐dihydro‐purine‐6‐thione (puSH₂) in presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide with PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ suspended in ethanol formed [Pd(κ²‐N⁷,S‐puS)(PPh₃)₂] ( 1 ). Similarly, complexes [Pd(κ²‐N⁷,S‐puS)(κ²‐P, P‐L‐L)] ( 2 – 4 ) {L‐L = dppm (m = 1) ( 2 ), dppp (m = 3) ( 3 ), dppb (m = 4) ( 4 )} were prepared using precursors the [PdCl₂(L‐L)] {L‐L = Ph₂P–(CH₂)_m–PPh₂}. Reaction of puSH₂ suspended in benzene with platinic acid, H₂PtCl₆, in ethanol in the presence of triethylamine followed by the addition of PPh₃ yielded the complex [Pt(κ²‐N⁷,S‐puS)(PPh₃)₂] ( 5 ). Complexes [Pt(κ²‐N⁷,S‐puS)(κ²‐P, P‐L‐L)] ( 6 – 8 ) {L‐L = dppm ( 6 ), dppp ( 7 ), dppb ( 8 )} were prepared similarly. The 1, 9‐dihydro‐purine‐6‐thione acts as N⁷,S‐chelating dianion in compounds 1 – 8 . The reaction of copper(I) chloride [or copper(I) bromide] in acetonitrile with puSH₂ and the addition of PPh₃ in methanol yielded the same product, [Cu(κ²‐N⁷,S‐puSH)(PPh₃)₂] ( 9 ), in which the halogen atoms are removed by uninegative N, S‐chelating puSH^– anion. However, copper(I) iodide did not lose iodide and formed the tetrahedral complex, [CuI(κ¹‐S‐puSH₂)(PPh₃)₂] ( 10 ), in which the thio ligand is neutral. These complexes were characterized with the help of elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ³¹P), and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography ( 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , and 10 ).     

Reduction of 3‐Aminoquinoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐diones and Deamination of the Reaction Products

3‐Aminoquinoline‐2,4‐diones were stereoselectively reduced with NaBH₄ to give cis‐3‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones. Using triphosgene (=bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate), these compounds were converted to 3,3a‐dihydrooxazolo[4,5‐c]quinoline‐2,4(5H,9bH)‐diones. The deamination of the reduction products using HNO₂ afforded mixtures of several compounds, from which 3‐alkyl/aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indol‐2‐ones and their 3‐hydroxy and 3‐nitro derivatives were isolated as the products of the molecular rearrangement.