The 4.4′-benzidine rearrangement of 4-alkyl substituted hydrazobenzenes

Abstract

When treated with dilute inorganic acids N,N′-diarylhydrazines (hydrazobenzenes) with an alkyl substituent in the 4-position undergo [5,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement reactions to furnish 4-(4′-aminophenyl)-4-alkylcyclohexa-2,5-dienimines (ipso-benzidines) in moderate to excellent yields. Steric bulk of the 4-alkyl substituent in the starting material decreases the yield of the respective ipso-benzidine. Additional electron-donating alkyl substituents in the ortho- and/or meta-positions on both rings generally promote the reaction and consequently increase the yield of the 4.4′-benzidine rearrangement product. Described herein are our findings regarding the scope and limits of this unusual benzidine rearrangement.