| Abstract: | Diazepam (1) is a frequently prescribed hypnotic/anxiolytic drug in worldwide use. Compound 1 is hydrolyzed in alkaline medium to form 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone imine (2) and 2-methylamino-5-chlorobenzophenone (3) ; the ratio of 2:3 increases with increasing NaOH concentration (J. Pharm. Sci. 85, 745–748, 1996). The mechanism in the conversion of 1 to 2 and 3 via various intermediates is the subject of this report. Results of hydrolysis kinetics and structural identification of some intermediate products indicated an initial hydroxide attack at the C2-carbonyl carbon of 1 , resulting in the formation of a dioxide ( 7 , 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2,2-dioxide). Compound 7 was characterized by proton NMR spectroscopy and via its monomethyl ether ( 8 , 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-2-hydroxy-2-methoxy-l-methyl-5-pheny]-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine). The seven-member diazepine ring of 7 opened at the N1-C2 bond to form a glycinate 5 , 2-methylamino-5-chloro-α-(phenylhenzylidene)glycinate]. Compound 7 (and/or 5 ) underwent an additional hydroxide attack at the C5-N4 imine bond to form a tetrahedral intermediate, which decomposed to form 2 and 3 . |
