cis- and trans-N-nitroso-2,4-diphenylazetidines

The synthesis of cis- and trans-2,4-diphenylazetidines as well as that of their N-nitroso derivatives is described. The “abnormal” reduction of the N-nitrosamines gives a cis-trans mixture of the expected 1,2-diphenylcyclopropanes. However, no stereochemical correlations could be made owing to the base-induced isomerization of the starting N-nitrosamines during the course of the reaction.