Unexpected Hydrogenation of C-C-Double Bonds with tert-Butyl Iodide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/prac.19983400415

Heating of 3-isobutylidene-2,5-diketopiperazines 1 or 4, maleinimide or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone with tert-butyl iodide in toluene gave rise to hydrogenation of the conjugated C-C-double bond affording 3-isobutyldiketopiperazines 2(rac) and 3(rac), succinimide, or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanohydroquinone, respectively. Furthermore, an interesting N-O-migration of a benzoyl group as well as reductive aromatization to pyrazines 5 and 6, respectively, were observed.