An efficient reduction of azides to amines:: synthesis of DNA interactive pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines

Reaction of a variety of azido compounds with FeSO4. 7H(2)O/NH3 results in quantitative yields of the corresponding amino compounds. This reductive methodology has been extended towards the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine antibiotics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.