Derivatives of pyrido[2,3‐b][1,4]diazepine and of the dipyrido[1,2‐a:2′,3′‐b]imidazole heterocyclic system

With a continuing interest in heteropolycyclic systems which may show biological activities, we studied the reaction of 3‐amino‐2‐(methylamino)pyridine with diethyl 1,3‐acetonedicarboxylate in order to develop pyridodiazepinone derivatives. From the reaction mixture, we separated dipyrido1,2‐a:2′,3′‐d]imidazole derivatives ( 3 and 4 ) besides two isomeric pyrido2,3‐b]1,4]diazepine derivatives ( 5 and 6 ) in which the complex structural differentiation was achieved through nmr experiments and chemical evidence. Several attempts to elaborate isomers 5 and 6 have not yet given significant results.