1. Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078‐3071, USA;2. Undergraduate Research Participants: T. N. (2006‐present), N. S. (2005‐2006).
Abstract:
A series of 2‐(2‐nitrobenzyl)‐substituted β‐keto ester derivatives has been subjected to reductive cyclization under catalytic hydrogenation conditions. The reactions were found to be highly dependent on the catalyst and hydrogen pressure used. Hydrogenation over 5% palladium‐on‐carbon at 4 atmospheres pressure produced complex mixtures of products that included predominantly 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline products; at 1 atmosphere pressure, the same reactions gave mixtures containing predominantly tetrahydroquinoline and 1,4‐dihydroquinoline derivatives. Hydrogenation using 5% platinum‐on‐carbon was much cleaner and afforded the desired cis‐ and trans‐(±)‐2‐alkyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic esters, with the cis product predominating by ≥ 13:1.
