Selective reduction of 2,4‐dinitro‐ and 4,5‐dinitroimidazole derivatives using iron dust

Abstract

Abstract magnified image A series of N ‐substituted 2,4‐dinitroimidazoles, 4,5‐dinitroimidazoles, and 2‐methyl‐4,5‐dinitroimidazoles have been selectively reduced to the corresponding aminonitroimidazole derivatives, using iron dust in glacial acetic acid at room temperature. 2,4‐Dinitroimidazoles have been reduced to the 2‐amino‐4‐nitro‐derivatives only but 4,5‐dinitroimidazoles have given 4‐amino‐5‐nitro‐ or 5‐amino‐4‐nitro‐ derivatives depended on the structure of the N ‐substituent. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2010).