The stereochemistry of organometallic compounds .42. The preparation of [2,1-b]quinazolines involving rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of 2-amino-N-alkenylbenzylamines

Rhodium-catalysed reactions of 2-amino-N-alkenylbenzylamines with H-2/CO give hexahydropyrrolo- and hexahydropyrido-[2,1-b]quinazolines. Reactions of N-allyl derivatives give a single regioisomer, and reactions of but-3-enyl analogues give mixtures of pyrrolo and pyrido derivatives. Some reactions give significant amounts (10-30%) of tetrahydro derivatives. The origin of these compounds remains unclear.