Efficient Tetrahydrosalen Synthesis from Mannich‐Type Bases

Abstract

Synthesizing a variety of tetrahydrosalens from hydrolyzing 1,3‐bis(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐substituted‐benzyl)imidazolidines with hydrochloric acid is described. Further reaction of such tetrahydrosalens with aldehydes yielded 2‐substituted‐1,3‐bis(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐substituted‐benzyl)imidazolidines.

Keywords:

• Tetrahydrosalen
• Mannich‐type bases
• Ethylenediamine
• Formaldehyde

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Departamento de Química of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and the Fundación Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia.