The reaction of o-phenylenediamine (4) with one, two or three equivalents of p-substituted 3-dimethylaminopropiophenone hydrochlorides 5a−e was studied. 4-Aryl-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives 6a−e were obtained in good yields, along with the 1:2-adducts 7c−e and the unexpected 1:3-adducts rac-8c−e. The type of adduct formed is determined by the molar ratio of the reactants 4 and 5 and by the nature of the substituent in the para position of the propiophenone 5.
