2-(Imidazol-1-yl)benzophenones

Abstract

Compounds of formula II ##SPC1## and its phthalimide derivative III: ##SPC2## wherein R.sub.0 and R.sub.1 are hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive; wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; wherein R.sub.3 is hydrogen, or fluoro with the proviso that R.sub.3 is not fluoro, if R.sub.2 is chloro or trifluoromethyl; and wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro, or trifluoromethyl are prepared by reacting a compound of formula I: ##SPC3## wherein R.sub.0, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are defined as above, with formaldehyde to produce compound II and reacting II with phthalimide, triphenylphosphine and finally diethyl azodicarboxylate to give compound III. Compounds II and III are useful as important intermediates for the production of known 6-phenyl-4H-imidazo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepine which compounds are active as tranquilizers and antianxiety agents.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.