STUDIES RELATED TO ALKYLATIONS OF ENOLATE ANIONS OF 1,4-BENZODIAZEPINONES

Treatment of 1,4-benzodiazepinone derivatives with a Wittig-Horner rea gent, led to the desired carbon. carbon bond formation at the amide ca rbonyl carbon atom in reasonable yield. An examination of this reactio n has shown that only secondary amides can be used, indicating that th is process requires the amide proton. This observation would exclude t he accepted mechanism for Wittig-Horner type reactions (four membered spiro ring intermediate), and an alternate mechanism, that involves cl eavage of the anion prior to addition of the reagent to substrate is p roposed.