Research on nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds. XX. Synthesis of 8H-Imidazo[5,1-c]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine and its 6-derivatives

Starting from 1H-1-(2-aminomethylphenyl)pyrrole the synthesis of 8H-imidazo[5,1-c]pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]ben-zodiazepine, a novel nitrogen containing tetracyclic ring, has been performed by two routes involving a three-step and a six-step sequence, respectively. The more complex sequence offers the advantage to obtain also 3-alkyl and 3-aryl derivatives of the parent nucleus. The three step sequence involves the use of toluene-4-sulfonylmethylisocyanide (TosMIC) as a synthon.