Ring transformation of 4-amino-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-3-carbonitrile and ethyl 4-amino-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate into benzimidazole derivatives with amines

The ring contraction of 4-ammo-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-3-carbonitrile hydrochloride 1 and ethyl 4-amino-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate hydrochloride 2 with aromatic primary amines into benzimidazole derivatives 3 and 4 was readily accomplished by heating in methanol. Benzodiazepine 1 also reacted with methylamine and ethylamine at about 40° to give ring-opened amine adducts 7 which were recyclized to 1 with hydrochloric acid.