Cyclocondensation reaction of 1,2-diamino-4-methylbenzene and p-substituted acetophenones

1,2-Diamino-4-methylbenzene 1 reacts in the presence of sulphuric acid with 4-substituted acetophenones 2a-e yielding 2,4-diaryl-2,3-dihydro-2,8-dimethyl-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines 3a-e and as minor component 2,4-diaryl-2,3-dihydro-2,7-dimethyl-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines 4a-e . The ratio 3:4 is in the range of 7:3. The structure determination of the regioisomers was performed by NOE measurements.